Randle El confident of timely return

5/7/2008 1:44 PM

ASHBURN, Va. (AP) -Washington Redskins receiver Antwaan Randle El, with crutches under both arms, said Wednesday the surgery on his right knee went as expected and that he hopes to return to the field for offseason practices next month.

Randle El said the knee was swollen after minicamp practice Saturday. An MRI found loose cartilage, possibly the residual effects of getting the knee banged in a couple of games last season, and he had arthroscopic surgery Monday.

``The big thing is get it done now and not have it happen during training camp,'' Randle El said.

Quarterback Jason Campbell tweaked his hamstring during Wednesday's practice, and running back Clinton Portis sat out with a minor hip flexor strain.

Coach Jim Zorn said Campbell's legs have been feeling the effects of practicing a more compressed stance, something the coach hopes will give the quarterback more maneuverability.

``I have him sinking down a little bit,'' Zorn said. ``It's a change, and so I was kind of excited about it - not that he tweaked his hamstring, but just the fact that different things are happening.''

Wednesday was the last of three offseason practices that supplemented the weekend minicamp. More practices are scheduled from June 2-12, with training camp starting in late July.