A.J. Terrell Injury Update: Falcons Activate Top Cornerback After Four Games Out

Falcons Activate A.J. Terrell After Four-Game Injury Absence© Instagram

A.J. Terrell is back on Atlanta's active roster after missing four games with a groin injury. The Falcons activated their top cornerback Saturday, removing his injury designation ahead of Sunday's meeting with the unbeaten San Francisco 49ers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Terrell had been sidelined since getting hurt early in the Week 2 loss to Carolina. He returned to practice Wednesday, and Atlanta needed only a few days of its 21-day evaluation window before bringing him off injured reserve. His return gives a depleted secondary an experienced starter against Brock Purdy.

Terrell Returns To A Secondary Short On Healthy Corners

Atlanta has been reshuffling its cornerback group throughout Terrell's absence. C.J. Henderson initially stepped into the outside role opposite Mike Hughes, then suffered a groin injury of his own against Baltimore in Week 5.

That left rookie Avieon Terrell, A.J.'s younger brother, starting outside against Chicago. Billy Bowman Jr. handled the slot before leaving that game injured.

Getting A.J. back addresses more than one missing name on the depth chart. Henderson's injury had already forced Atlanta to look further down its cornerback group, and Bowman has been ruled out against San Francisco with a hamstring problem.

Avieon remains questionable. The Falcons added an illness to his existing back issue Saturday, leaving his availability unsettled even as his older brother was cleared to return.

For Atlanta, the task is sorting out the combinations around its returning starter.
 

49ers Bring Back Kirk As Falcons Make More Moves

San Francisco is changing its receiving lineup, too. Christian Kirk was activated from injured reserve Saturday and is set for his 49ers debut after recovering from a calf injury.

Mike Evans will miss the game with an Achilles issue, while Deebo Samuel is out with a hamstring injury. Kirk joins Brandin Cooks, Jordan Watkins and Jacob Cowing among the available wideouts.

Those absences change the matchup without making Purdy short of established options elsewhere. George Kittle and Christian McCaffrey remain players Atlanta must account for beyond its outside coverage.

The Falcons also made several roster moves. Offensive tackle Michael Jerrell went on injured reserve with a biceps injury, and defensive end Drake Jackson was signed to the active roster after being elevated for the previous two games.

Running back Khalil Herbert and linebacker Brian Asamoah received this week's practice-squad elevations. Herbert is expected to back up Bijan Robinson with Brian Robinson unavailable because of a hamstring injury.

Linebacker Divine Deablo is out with a forearm injury. Atlanta's inactive list will settle the remaining availability questions.