Crows defender Andy Otten has taken a significant step in his recovery from a knee reconstruction.

Otten, 25, is running for the first time since rupturing the ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) in his left knee against the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba in August.

The versatile tall, who is four months into his rehabilitation, completed short running drills on Max Basheer Reserve on Monday morning as his teammates warmed up for a main training session.

“It’s good to get out there, see the boys warm-up and feel a bit a part of it,” Otten said.

“It (running) is kind of the first big milestone that you really look forward to. I felt a bit awkward and gangly running again. I kept asking ‘Dunks’ (Rehab Physio Duncan Kellaway), ‘do I look normal? Because I feel really weird’.

“It was good fun just being outside again. The boys really appreciate it and give you a clap, which gives you a boost as well. I’ve started kicking too, so I got to touch the footy a bit.

“I feel like a footy player again at the moment.”

After being given the all clear by his surgeon to start the next phase in his rehabilitation, Otten prepared by running laps in the shallow end of the swimming pool.

Now, he’s splitting his kilometres between Max Basheer Reserve and the Anti-Gravity treadmill.

“I’ve started alternating (between running) outside and on the Alter-G to manage the load,” he said.

“It (the Alter-G) is great for rehab running because you can run at 80 per cent body weight. It takes some load off the joints and really lets you get some good distance into your legs.”