Rypien Has Redskins Feeling Fit : NFC: Recovered from knee injury, quarterback passes for four touchdowns in victory over the Saints.

Not only did quarterback Mark Rypien feel fit, but he made the Washington Redskins feel better Sunday, two months after he suffered a knee injury.

Rypien passed for 311 yards and four touchdowns as the Redskins beat the New Orleans Saints, 31-17.

“I felt tremendous out there,” said Rypien, who began practicing with the Redskins on Wednesday. “From the first play, I kind of lost myself and got caught up in the game.”

Rypien, reviving an offense troubled by quarterback problems and injuries, completed 26 of 38 passes and matched his career-high with two touchdown passes to Gary Clark and one each to Art Monk and Kelvin Bryant.

Rypien suffered ligament damage to his right knee Sept. 23 when he was hit while throwing a pass against Dallas. He had said he was recovered and his return was assured this week after Stan Humphries and Jeff Rutledge--who had a combined 11 passes intercepted in Rypien’s absence--went down with injuries last Monday night against Philadelphia.

The Redskins (6-4) led, 17-10, at halftime and forced turnovers on New Orleans’ first three possessions of the second half.

The Saints (4-6), who had gained 461 yards on the ground over the past two games, were held to 93 yards rushing.

New Orleans quarterback Steve Walsh completed 23 of 38 passes for 274 yards. Wide receiver Eric Martin caught 10 passes for 131 yards to break Dan Abramowicz’s team record of 309 career receptions. Martin has 314.

Earnest Byner gained 116 yards in 26 carries to become the first Redskin player to rush for more than 100 yards this season.

The Saints entered the game with an NFC-leading 27 sacks, but they did not get to Rypien.

Monk caught four passes to increase his career total to 702. He joins Steve Largent and Charlie Joiner as the only players in NFL history to reach the 700-reception plateau.

The Saints took an early lead on a first-quarter 16-yard touchdown pass from Walsh to Brett Perriman.