[vincesanity82]

Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb practiced today for the first time since suffering a season-ending knee injury in November 2006, suggesting that his rehab is progressing ahead of schedule.

Reuben Frank of PhillyBurbs.com reports that McNabb took 12 to 15 snaps with the first-team offense, that he looked good, made all his throws, was praised by the coaching staff, and at one point even tucked the ball under his arm and ran. He stayed on the practice field for only 20 minutes before heading back inside for treatment, but that's 20 more minutes of practice than anyone thought McNabb would have at this point.

"It felt great to get back out there on the field with all of the guys,' McNabb said in a statement released by the Eagles. "It's just part of the rehab process and hopefully good things will continue to come. It is important to continue to monitor my progress, but also be smart about the whole situation."

McNabb will continue to participate for the next three days of the Eagles' minicamp, which has perfect attendance, even though it is, by rule, voluntary. [Editor's note: So is breathing.]

In its account of the practice, the Associated Press helpfully points out that McNabb "participated in non-contact drills." As if fans need to be told that a quarterback on the practice field for the first time since suffering a serious injury was held out of contact. (Actually, given the way some NFL teams flout the no-contact rules at minicamps, maybe it was necessary to specify that the drills in which McNabb participated did not involve contact.)

ProFootballTalk.com -- The Best Pro Football Scoop on the Internet

[Philadelphia Eagles News]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -Now that Donovan McNabb has taken some snaps and thrown a few passes, he believes he's ready for training camp.

The five-time Pro Bowl quarterback completed his first week of practice since tearing a knee ligament in his right knee on Nov. 19 and expects to be on the field when the Philadelphia Eagles reconvene next month at Lehigh University.

``I got an opportunity to get a great feel of how my knee will respond when taking reps and dropping back consistently, moving around in the pocket, carrying the ball out of the pocket and running,'' McNabb said Thursday. ``Fatigue hasn't really kicked in, the strength is definitely there and we're going to continue to work on that and push it each day.''

McNabb worked in noncontact and team passing drills in the final minicamp. He wasn't expected to do more than individual drills at this point.

FBN Eagles McNabb | Gainesville.com | The Gainesville Sun | Gainesville, Fla.