INDIANAPOLIS -- The crawling process has started for Indianapolis Colts rookie safety Malik Hooker after he practiced for the first time since being selected as the No. 15 pick in April's draft.

"It was a lot of emotion for me, making pretty much my debut as a Colts player, my coaches seeing me for the first time," the former Ohio State product said. "For me, it was a lot of emotion, feeling excitement, and just ready to get out there and work."

Malik Hooker practiced for the first time as a professional on Sunday. Brian Spurlock/USA TODAY Sports

Sunday marked the first time that Hooker had practiced since the week leading up to college football semifinal playoff game against Clemson back in December. Hooker missed the Colts' offseason activities because he was recovering from hip and hernia surgery. The Colts are keeping him on a pitch count for the time being until they feel comfortable increasing his workload. Hooker worked with the training staff on the side when he wasn't taking part in team drills.

Hooker was a student when it came to studying film and the playbook, but now it's time for him to get caught up to speed as quickly as possible when it comes to on-field production.

"This is a big jump, just as high school to college football is a big jump," Colts defensive coordinator Ted Monachino said. "This is a big jump and he's missed some chances to improve, but I know him as a guy and I know the type of man that he is and the type of competitor that he is. I think he'll take to it just like a duck to water and be caught up pretty quickly."

The Colts are dealing with injuries in the secondary. Clayton Geathers, the other projected starting safety, is on the physically unable to perform list and will miss at least the first six regular season games while recovering from neck surgery back in March.

"For the first day just moving around in a couple months, going out there and competing with the guys for the first time, it definitely felt great," Hooker said. "I've been working out, but for me to get out there and move around as a defense, it's been my first time since like January.

"It's like starting to walk all over. You've got to crawl, then you've got to walk, so everything right now is going great for me and I'm just glad to be out there with the team."