Safety Sean Taylor, freed from a protective boot to immobilize his injured ankle, returned to practice on Thursday and has been upgraded to probable on the team's injury report.

Also on Thursday, David Patten met with a medical specialist to further assess the wide receiver's knee injury. Patten could opt to undergo arthroscopic knee surgery, which would likely sideline him for several weeks.

Patten remains listed as doubtful on the Redskins' injury report.

Assistant head coach-defense Gregg Williams was optimistic in his assessment of Taylor's first practice in nearly two weeks.

"He practiced very well," Williams said. "He's anxious to get back out there and play. He's not a guy who likes being out at all. He doesn't like missing practices. It was real nice to see him out there."

Taylor sat out last week's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers due to the ankle injury. It was the first NFL game he has missed in his career.

Last Sunday, the Bucs attacked the Redskins' secondary, with quarterback Chris Simms completing 13 passes to wide receivers for 255 yards and three touchdowns.

It's hoped that Taylor's presence could make a difference. With Taylor in the secondary, offenses tend to avoid the side of field that he is on, Williams said.

"He has a tendency to make people look where he's at," Williams said. "Even when you do complete a ball in his area, he tries to put a hard hit on you. That's how he plays the game. Good safeties play it in a legal, but aggressive way."

Defensive tackle Cornelius Griffin sat out practice again on Thursday and remains questionable. Cedric Killings, who has missed the last four games due to an ankle injury, is "full-go," Williams said.