ASHBURN, Virginia -- The Washington Redskins, dealing with multiple injuries to their starting lineup, got one player back late Friday night when safety DeAngelo Hall was activated off the physically unable to perform list.
Hall tore his ACL in Week 3 last season but returned to practice two weeks ago. He will play a key role in the secondary with rookie Montae Nicholson dealing with his second shoulder injury of the season.
Hall started at safety before getting hurt last season. He could end up starting at free safety with D.J. Swearinger playing mostly in the box at strong safety; the Redskins, though, ask their safeties to switch roles at times based on formation.
Hall, who turns 34 on Nov. 19, is in the last year of his contract and took a paycut to remain in Washington. But the coaches valued his leadership enough to see what he had left when returning from his injury.
"I'm just excited to get out there," Hall said. "I don't know how I'm going to contain myself. I guess I'll figure out a way."
Hall said he hasn't had an issue with his knee and, indeed, did a backflip in practice Thursday at the end of one play.
"From the jump, I never once felt pain," Hall said of how his knee felt upon returning. "It was never swollen on me to the point I needed to ice it after practice. It just feels normal."
The Redskins released offensive lineman Orlando Franklin to create a spot for Hall. The Redskins had 12 offensive linemen on the roster because of injury concerns along the front. They'll have three starters missing Sunday, but right guard Brandon Scherff could return.