In Fuller’s case, injuries to cornerbacks Bashaud Breeland (ankle) and Dashaun Phillips (hamstring) have forced the issue. But Gruden made clear that Fuller, 21, who declared for the NFL draft after an injury-shortened junior season at Virginia Tech, had also proved to coaches that he’s fully recovered from the knee issue that limited his offseason work and is ready for his NFL debut.

“I think he’s at a place now where he feels comfortable going out there and running and playing,” Gruden said. “I think he’s ready to go. He has been ready, I think. Now it’s time to let him play.”

Gruden classified Breeland as “week-to-week” with his strained tendons; coaches are unclear if Phillips will be available Sunday or not.

A Baltimore native and the youngest of four NFL-playing brothers, Fuller was chosen by the Redskins with the 84th overall pick in the draft. The team was undeterred by the fact that he’d undergone microfracture surgery on his right knee in Fall 2015 and, as a result, was forced to skip workouts at the NFL combine in February.

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The Redskins believed, nonetheless, that he was worth the investment. And Gruden was impressed by Fuller’s strong work in a training-camp competition for the starting slot corner position with Phillips, a third-year NFL pro who was elevated from the practice squad last season.

“I think he had a good preseason, I really do,” Gruden said of the 5-foot-11, 196-pound Fuller. “He was right there neck-and-neck with Phillips. We played Phillips there to start the season with the idea of giving Fuller a little bit more time to get ready with his body and his mental state of mind. I think he’s more than ready. He’s a bright, bright football player. He has got great, natural ball skills and instincts, and I think he’ll be ready to go.”