In Devin Thomas’ second training camp, he’s shown reasons for the coaches to be encouraged; he’s also provided reminders that he’s not a finished product.

Thomas, who did not practice yesterday while resting a sore knee, has an excellent chance of opening the season as Washington’s No. 2 receiver. That would enable Antwaan Randle El to become the No. 3 slot receiver.

But this means Thomas must prove he’s worthy of starting. Malcolm Kelly could compete for the No. 2 role, but the coaches consider him further behind Thomas if only because Kelly missed so much time last season with a knee injury.

“He looks better than last year,” receiver Santana Moss said. “He looks focused. His routes are sharper. He’s catching the ball with more emphasis. He seems well-rounded now, like he knows what his purpose is and he wants to prove to everyone what he’s here for.”

Thomas was considered a raw talent when the Redskins drafted him in the second round in 2008. He looked like it on the field as he played in 16 games, but managed just 15 receptions for 120 yards. His lone touchdown came on an end around.

For the Redskins to become more explosive, Thomas must produce. And for that to happen, he must mature as a receiver. Off the field, coaches and Thomas say he became more professional. On the field, he sharpened his routes. Thomas dropped a lot of extra movement — false steps — at the line of scrimmage.

“It caused me to get off the line not as fast,” he said. “I see the explosion on film. I’m getting into the [defensive backfield] faster, causing them to get out of their comfort zone right away.”

He also said he’s more adept at adjusting his routes based on coverages, something he struggled with last season.

“I’m way more comfortable, calmer and just relaxed,” Thomas said. “When you do that, you scare DBs, you come in and out of your break and bam, it’s right there. That’s how I feel.”

“He wasn’t sure of anything [last year],” Redskins coach Jim Zorn said. “Everything was one speed. Now he’s able to change speeds; he’s able to put a move on a defender and get leverage on him. He’s much more freed up to be a receiver than he was last year.”

Redskins notes

»  Defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth returned to practice after sitting out the previous two sessions. Haynesworth had received a Synvisc injection in his left knee, providing more fluid and cushion for the knee. He’ll continue to be held out of one practice on the days Washington has two practices.

Guard Randy Thomas (knee) did not practice. Thomas wasn’t sure if he would practice Wednesday.

Right tackle Stephon Heyer suffered a bruised left knee in a full-contact goal line drill Tuesday morning and is day to day. He underwent an MRI. Center Casey Rabach (calf) was limited Tuesday. And guard Rueben Riley has a sprained ankle.

Receiver Roydell Williams will miss four to six weeks after having surgery on his left pinky finger.

»  Redskins coach Jim Zorn said he’s not worrying about what players say on Twitter or blogs. But he has talked to them about it. Seven Redskins Twitter, including cornerback DeAngelo Hall.

“There are so many things players can do,” he said. “You can Facebook, blog, you can tweet, you can text, you can e-mail. How many things are there? We’ll do videoconferencing very soon — you can talk on your camera and get it out there. What a great idea. But I can’t worry about that. What we do is talk about it and try to educate and talk about the perils. You talk about the cautions you take with that type of stuff.”

»  The Redskins waived defensive tackle Vaka Manupuna. They have room to sign one player and could do so Wednesday.

[email protected]