Almost a year after suffering a gruesome injury to his left knee, Leonard Hankerson is back.

The Redskins announced Tuesday that the 6-foot-2, 211-pound Hankerson has been activated to the active roster from the team's Reserve/Physically Unable To Perform (PUP) list, giving the Redskins a big target to go along with their speedy options on the outside.

Hankerson said Tuesday that "everything feels good" after completing his long road to recovery, which began after undergoing surgery shortly after suffering a torn lateral collateral ligament (LCL) in his left knee Week 11 last season against the Philadelphia Eagles.

"I've been anxious," he said. "I've been anxious to get out there and help the teammates out. I haven't been happy about the situation, not playing, but it hasn't been my decision, so I've just been working hard, grinding, doing what I can, and that's going to practice, competing and getting better."

Hankerson was originally selected by the Redskins in the third round (79th overall) of the 2011 NFL Draft. He has appeared in 30 career games with 14 starts, recording 81 receptions for 1,081 yards and six receiving touchdowns.

After getting back on the practice field last month, Hankerson said he feels he's getting better "each and every day."

"I feel myself going to a whole other level, and that's the good thing about it, because I see myself growing and I feel good," he said. "I feel good where I'm at right now."

Redskins offensive coordinator Sean McVay said Hankerson has looked "excellent" on the practice field.

"I've always been a big Leonard Hankerson fan," McVay said. "I think he's a rare guy that has the size he does, but also the body control where he's real sharp with his routes, good natural hands, so he looks really good and we're excited about whenever that opportunity is that he's ready to play for us."

Hankerson said he's experienced no recent setbacks with his knee, and isn't worried about going live against an opponent, beginning with the Redskins' next game Nov. 16 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at FedExField.

"I've been hit 100 times in practice already," he said. "I'm not worried about getting hit at all."

To make room for Hankerson's spot on Tuesday, the team announced it has waived cornerback Chase Minnifield.

Minnifield (6-0, 186) spent the first three weeks of the season on the team's practice squad before being activated on Sept. 22.

Practice squad moveThe Redskins on Tuesday also announced they have released offensive tackle Terren Jones from their practice squad.

Jones – who stands at 6-foot-7 and weighs 341 pounds -- originally entered the NFL with the Atlanta Falcons as a college free agent on April 20, 2013. He was released from the Falcons' practice squad on Sept. 23, 2014 and signed to the Redskins' practice squad on Sept. 29, 2014.

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