ASHBURN, Va. -- The Washington Redskins and rookie corner Kendall Fuller both have said the same thing since the draft: He’ll be ready for training camp. It was the goal then, and it remains the goal now.

That doesn’t mean it’s easy for him to wait. Not as teammates went through rookie minicamp last weekend and continue to go through offseason workouts. But Fuller, a third-round pick, is coming off microfracture surgery last fall to repair cartilage on his right knee.

“Definitely stressful,” Fuller said. “You want to get out there, but you’ve just got to be patient with it, control what you can control. My biggest thing right now is just attacking the rehab, attacking my workouts and just getting better every day.”

Redskins coach Jay Gruden said, "We’ll slowly start to incorporate him in some of the drills once we start our OTAs [next week]. When we start our practices, we’ll try to implement him in there just a little bit and see how he does.”

Redskins CB Kendall Fuller is still recovering from microfracture surgery last fall on his right knee. Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Fuller estimated that he’s at “90-95” percent strength and will definitely be ready by the first day of training camp practice on July 28. But microfracture surgery can be tricky. It’s not a career death sentence, but depending on the size of the area needing repair, it can make a return difficult. The Redskins say they’re optimistic about Fuller’s recovery because it was a tiny area being repaired, which meant he needed fewer incisions.

Among other players who have had the procedure in recent years: Kansas City tight end Travis Kelce, Cincinnati linebacker Vontaze Burfict and Houston linebacker/end Jadeveon Clowney. San Diego running back Melvin Gordon had it this offseason.

Former Redskins defensive back Chase Minnifield fell from a possible third-round pick to being undrafted thanks to microfracture surgery. He had his surgery in January before that draft and after returning in time for minicamp, he tore his ACL.

“Back in the day if you get microfracture surgery people think your career is over,” Fuller said. “My surgery wasn’t that extreme. I won’t get into the details but we know I’ll get back to 100 percent.”

Once he is, Fuller will play a role on Washington’s defense as a third or fourth corner, depending on how he looks in camp. Fuller said he’s comfortable playing outside or in the slot. They have starters in Bashaud Breeland (who can also play inside) and Josh Norman. They also have second-year corner Quinton Dunbar and veterans Will Blackmon (who might play more safety) and Greg Toler. So if Fuller needs more time, the Redskins can afford to give it to him.

For now, Fuller is learning the defense -- getting help from fellow ex-Virginia Tech defensive back Kyshoen Jarrett in meetings -- and focusing on his recovery. Fuller said he feels good in terms of movement.

“Get a little bit more strength and besides that just getting back in football shape,” he said. “I’m pretty much there.”