Darrelle Revis' progress since his anterior cruciate ligament surgery last year has been followed by NFL Network chief health and safety correspondent Andrea Kremer. After Revis' trade from the New York Jets to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last month, Kremer has been reporting on the cornerback's transition to Florida and his continued rehabilitation.
In her second report on Revis' recovery since he was dealt to Tampa Bay, Kremer showed Tuesday that he has almost full mobility in his injured knee.
However, Revis still is waiting to be cleared for full practices with the Bucs. The decision on his return to the game will be up to Bucs director of sports medicine Todd Toriscelli.
"Some players are usually too nervous to start running, even though they have no symptoms," Toriscelli said. "But, from the very first time, he had no apprehension whatsoever.
"Sometimes you have to teach people how to run again, and we just haven't had to do that with him. As a matter of fact, I've had to ask him to slow down a couple times."
Toriscelli doesn't believe Revis is running at full speed yet.
"We're working through his gears on the straight ahead," he said. "You know, most guys have four, he has five, and we're about at gear three."
Revis has his lateral movement back; he can change direction on the fly. But moving and reading defenses is the next step, according to Bucs coach Greg Schiano.
"We have faith that he's going to recover," Schiano said. "Look, if it isn't exactly that way right away, then we'll adapt.
"At 85 percent or 90 percent, Darrelle Revs is still better than most 100 percent other corners, right?"
As for Revis, he has no qualms about being ready and confident in his knee when he returns to the field.
"The first time I step out there, I'll be fine," he said.
Bucs wanted Revis as long ago as last season.
-- Bill Bradley, contributing editor
