Redskins rookie WR Josh Doctson practices with team

Forgive Josh Doctson if he does not want to talk about the treatment for his past Achilles tendon ache. Shockwave therapy and sitting out were enough to irritate him at the time, he didn’t want to walk back through those circumstances after finally coming off the practice field as a participant Monday.

The Redskins rookie wide receiver had been either stagnant or rehabilitating since the first day of organized team activities in late May because of a sore left Achilles tendon. He said he was unconcerned three months ago. His feelings about the injury, and those within the organization, changed when doctors said that Doctson would be out 8-12 weeks. That news led general manager Scot McCloughan to punch an object much harder than his hand, resulting in a noticeable wrap around his damaged digits at training camp.

That time period is behind Doctson. His current issues involve timing, accurate route running, just feeling normal. None of those things were in order Monday when he practiced with the team.

“My expectations right now is just to get back to my feel for the game,” Doctson said. “I’ve been out three months. I’m a rookie going against guys like [Josh] Norman and [Bashaud] Breeland. I’ve got to get back in the mix, back in the rhythm, just being the finesse guy I am on the field.”

Doctson is expected to be healthy enough to play in Monday night’s opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, he doesn’t expect himself to be back at a point where he has large influence on the game. Rattling off the depth at his position — perhaps the most stocked on the roster — Doctson noted he will be more of a replacement for a tired teammate than someone ready to be a featured receiver in his first game.

“I’m not going to step foot on [the field] Monday night or put the uniform on and run out there and get myself embarrassed,” Doctson said.

He admitted to being rusty Monday. Doctson had not faced an opponent for months. Sunday, he ran some light routes with third-string quarterback Nate Sudfeld throwing to him. That at least assured Doctson he felt well enough to practice Monday. When he did, he realized the depth of his routes, his breaks, his feel needed further work. Other wide receivers, like second-year man Jamison Crowder, helped Doctson understand what he was supposed to be doing in practice.

“I think he’ll learn game speed is going to go fast,” Crowder said. “But he’s a first-round draft pick. I feel like he’ll adjust to it quickly.”

Redskins coach Jay Gruden said Doctson participated in individual drills and part of the team drills. He was as cautious as Doctson when predicting the near future for the first-round pick.

“We want to get him back in the flow and get him some reps in team activities, get him some contact when he gets pads on — either Wednesday or Thursday — and see how he does,” Gruden said. “The big thing is the more we push him, we’ve got to see how he recovers the next day. Tomorrow will be a big day for him. They’re off, but we’ll see how he’s doing tomorrow and then we’ll push him again Wednesday and see where he’s at, both physically and mentally, and we’ll make a decision later in the week.”

Jones back at practice

Starting running back Matt Jones stood out Monday because of the yellow jersey he wore to represent a player who could not receive contact.

After spraining the AC joint in his left shoulder in the second preseason game, Jones has not been able to practice. He was back on the field Monday, though he was restricted from contact. Like Doctson, he was working to shed rust. Jones expects to be a full participant in Wednesday’s practice. He said he did not feel any shoulder pain Monday. The lack of pain has also eased his mind about his injury.

“It’s going to be interesting to see how he does Wednesday and Thursday,” Gruden said. “We’ll get another day of pads on one of those two days; I haven’t decided which one yet. But, that’ll tell a lot.”

Kerrigan feels ready to go

Linebacker Ryan Kerrigan injured his groin in the first series of the third preseason game against the Buffalo Bills and did not return to the game. He practiced Monday and said he is feeling fine after initially being worried that the injury may be a bigger issue.

“It hurt a little bit more than when I had a groin pull in the past,” Kerrigan said. “I was a little worried at first, but after I got the MRI, I felt a lot better.”