TEMPE, Ariz. (Dec. 1, 2005) -- Arizona Cardinals top draft pick Antrel Rolle was back at practice, working out separately from the team with a target of returning Dec. 11 against the Washington Redskins.
Rolle, the eighth selection overall in the 2005 NFL Draft out of Miami, started the first two games for Arizona at cornerback, but tore cartilage in his left knee Sept. 25 at Seattle and underwent surgery to repair it.
Initially, coach Dennis Green considered Rolle out for the season, but the team decided not to put the rookie on injured reserve, hoping an aggressive rehabilitation might bring him back for the final few games.
Rolle returned to Florida to work on coming back, then returned to Arizona for the final few weeks of preparation.
"I've been doing a lot of conditioning and strength on my knee and getting back to the groove like working with defensive back drills and everything like that," he said of his latest session. "I feel good, but am I where I need to be? No."
Green and Rolle said the player planned to return to full workouts Dec. 7.
"Antrel Rolle looked very good. We think he will be ready to go next week," Green said. "Today he did practice, not with the unit. We're getting him used to wearing the helmet and all that kind of stuff. Next week he will go with the regular defense, and he looks good. He's done a good job of getting himself rehabbed up."
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