Carlos Rogers had a head start because he was injured seven weeks earlier, yet Rocky McIntosh was supposed to return sooner because his knee injury - as bad as it was - wasn't as severe as Rogers'.

As it turned out, the race ended in a tie. Both players were back on the field in last week's exhibition game against the New York Jets.

"My goal was to continue to work and not let them tell me Rocky's going to come back faster," Rogers said. "That just wasn't going to happen to me after working hard and seeing how my knee was feeling out here. I knew I could get back."

Seeing Rogers at cornerback and McIntosh at weakside linebacker is good news for a Redskins defense that began training camp contemplating contingency plans at two important positions. Both are hungry to contribute after missing the end of last season, when the team made a late run that ended with a first-round playoff loss to Seattle.

Rogers tore ligaments in his right knee in the loss to New England last October. McIntosh's left knee suffered a similar fate in the victory over the New York Giants in December. Both had reconstructive surgery, with McIntosh expected to return perhaps in time for this year's training camp. Rogers wasn't supposed to be ready for the start of the regular season.

"They've come a long way," coach Jim Zorn said. "It think it's a real tribute to them and any player that's had to go through a severe injury. The long road back, way back in February, when they were trying to motivate each other, I think it was hard to visualize what it will be like when you finally do get back. And now they're realizing it."

Perhaps the only good thing about losing two players to similar major injuries is that they get to keep each other company. Had either gone through rehab alone, he might not have returned as quickly.

"It was unfortunate that we had those knee injuries," McIntosh said. "But just us having the same injuries - we were out there trying to work hard, compete against each other, and so far, so good."

The Redskins have been cautious with both players, and both were on the field for only a few plays against the Jets. They'll have a bigger test Saturday, when the starters are expected to play all of the first half against the Carolina Panthers.

Rogers said he didn't even need ice on his knee the morning after the Jets game. He also isn't wearing a sleeve or any kind of brace.

"As a corner, I think the sleeve will hold me back," Rogers said. "If it's going to swell up, it's going to swell up with or without the sleeve. The sleeve ain't going to stop somebody from hitting me. I'm just going to go out there like I've never had anything wrong."

Rogers wants to give the Redskins the type of season that would justify his selection as the No. 9 overall pick in 2005. He seemed to be in all the right places in 2006 - but he kept dropping interceptions.

"I could've been to the Pro Bowl instead of dropping about 10 picks," Rogers said. "I was starting to have a really good season last year, then came the injury. Now I'm back, so I need to have a really good year. I'm anxious to go out there and show the real Carlos."

McIntosh, a second-round pick in 2006, is more reticent to talk about his goals. He has been media-shy during the preseason, and earlier this week he attempted to avoid reporters by switching jerseys with fellow linebacker Khary Campbell after practice.

"I was Khary for a little minute, but you guys got me," McIntosh said.

Like Rogers, McIntosh wants to see how his knee will react to the rigors of extended game action. Zorn said it might take two or three weeks for the linebacker to regain the proper instincts on the field.

"It's hard to just go out there and play," McIntosh said. "It's scary a little bit, but you've got to play through it."