Fabian almost ready to go

July 28, 2010 4:18 PM by Dan Kolko View Comments

Fabian Washington is still on the Physically Unable to Perform list, but the sixth-year cornerback is itching to get back to practice.

As far as Washington is concerned, if the Ravens had their regular season opener tomorrow, he'd be ready to play.

"The speed is there. My agility is fantastic," Washington said. "The knee is not 100 percent, I can't sit here and say that, but it's really close."

It's fair to say that most veterans dread training camp. Not Washington. After sitting out the last seven months because of a torn ACL, he wants to get back on the practice fields and compete.

"They need me come season time and not right now, but I feel like for me to be the best I can be, I need as many practices as possible," he said. "Not just because of my knee. For me, I'm one of those guys, I can't just turn that switch on. I actually have to practice and get my timing down."

When Washington does return to practice, he will need days off from time to time. He says the team is putting together a schedule which will allow him to get the practice time he needs while making sure his surgically-repaired right knee doesn't get overworked.

"Of course, I won't practice every practice because of the knee injury," Washington said. "You can't put that much stress on it. In a month's time, we go through close to 50 practices. That's just a little too much."

So when will Washington actually return? That's up to the trainers and the coaching staff, but the cornerback says he's getting very close.

"I'm just gonna say this: Don't be surprised to see me [Friday]," Washington said. "Me and Harbs [head coach John Harbaugh] talk everyday about this. So he's being precautious, and of course I don't want to get hurt.

"But at the same time, man, I'm just ready to be one of the guys again."