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Rookie defensive lineman Jarvis Jenkins is among Redskins having a strong training camp.

It carried over into last Friday’s preseason opener vs. Pittsburgh, too.

Jenkins was on the field with the defensive starters midway through the first quarter. He was able to help disrupt several run plays by bursting past blockers.

He showed improvement in pass rushing when he pressured Steelers quarterback Byron Leftwich in the second quarter.

Jenkins admitted to some nervousness prior to his first NFL snap.

It quickly went away as he adjusted to the flow of the game.

“It felt pretty good,” he said. “The first play was kind of a blur, but after that it was full steam ahead.”

It’s quickly becoming apparent that Jenkins could play a significant role on the Redskins’ defense. He could be part of a rotation with defensive ends Stephen Bowen, Adam Carriker and Kedric Golston, among others.

The 6-4, 309-pounder could even slide inside to play nose tackle to give Barry Cofield a breather if necessary.

“Those guys are phenomenal,” pass rushing linebacker Brian Orakpo said. “They are going to push that pocket and make plays – not only just take up blocks, but they’re going to get sacks, they’re going to get pressures.”

Jenkins was the Redskins’ second-round draft pick last April. He quietly went about his business at Clemson, logging 166 tackles, including 31 tackles for a loss, and five sacks.

In his first NFL training camp, Jenkins has had to focus on honing his technique, keeping low at the line of scrimmage to get leverage on offensive tackles and guards.

He is also focused on improving as a pass rusher so that he can “become more well rounded.” At Clemson, he was primarily a run stuffer.

Said defensive coordinator Jim Haslett: “He’s a big, strong, powerful kid. I think once he gets his footwork and technique down, he’ll fit into the defense fine.”

From all appearances, Jenkins is fitting in fast.