WitP: Manuwai Back to Practice

Mark Long of the AP writes that Vince Manuwai practiced with the Jacksonville Jaguars for the first time since tearing his knee ligaments last season.

Wearing a brace on his right knee and feeling a little timid, former University of Hawaii guard Vince Manuwai returned to practice with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday.

Even though he took just three snaps with the first-team offense, it was Manuwai’s first full practice since tearing two knee ligaments more than nine months ago.

“It’s not like they’re trying to throw me in the fire,” Manuwai said. “They’re working me in. Am I anxious? Yeah, but I’m not trying to force it at the same time. I don’t want nothing bad to happen. Part of it, too, is getting your mind right before the hitting and all that.”

Manuwai, who tore the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his right knee during last year’s opener, was initially scheduled to be back at the start of training camp next month. But he dropped 30 pounds during his rehabilitation and showed enough leg strength and mobility that the training staff cleared him for the final week of organized team activities.