Seven weeks after Jason Hatcherunderwent arthroscopic knee surgery, the Washington Redskins activated the defensive end from the physically unable to perform list.
Hatcher was originally given a four-to-six week timetable for a return.
Redskins coach Jay Gruden said, via CSN Washington, that Hatcher would be worked back in "slowly but surely." The hope is to have the 32-year-old ready for the third preseason game, so he can get work with the rest of the defensive starters before the season opener.
The Redskins signed Hatcher to a four-year, $27.5 million contract, including a generous $10.5 million for the 2014 season.
Defensive coordinator Jim Haslett is counting on him to provide a much-needed interior pass rush after watching the former Dallas Cowboys star rack up 11 sacks in 2013.
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