The Atlanta Falcons’ already rocky start just became more complicated. On Tuesday, the club placed starting cornerback A.J. Terrell Jr. on injured reserve with a groin injury suffered in Sunday’s 34-3 home loss to the Carolina Panthers, via NFL insider Tom Pelissero.
Because of NFL injured-reserve rules, Terrell will miss a minimum of four games, beginning with Thursday night’s trip to Green Bay.
Terrell left the Panthers game in the first quarter. He was first evaluated for a possible concussion and cleared the protocol, only to be ruled out later with the groin problem.
The injury arrived on the heels of a shoulder issue that had already limited his practice time earlier in the week. He sat out Wednesday and Thursday sessions before returning Friday and playing against Carolina.
The timing is especially difficult. The Falcons are 0-2 and now face Jordan Love and the Packers on a short week at Lambeau Field. Losing a veteran corner of Terrell’s caliber leaves a sizable hole in a secondary that will have to adjust quickly.
Atlanta made a substantial commitment to Terrell in 2024, signing him to a four-year, $81 million extension that included $65.8 million in guarantees.
He carries a $13.5 million cap number this season and is scheduled to earn $15 million in cash. Selected 16th overall in the 2020 draft, Terrell has started every one of the 94 regular-season games he has appeared in.
Through two games this year, he has recorded six tackles and two passes defensed.
In his absence the Falcons are expected to lean on C.J. Henderson, who finished Sunday’s game opposite Mike Hughes.
Another option is Terrell’s younger brother Avieon, who has mostly played nickel but has outside experience.
Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich described the elder Terrell as the best boundary corner in the league, yet he expressed confidence in Henderson’s ability to step in without creating extra anxiety for the staff.
In corresponding roster moves, Atlanta elevated defensive lineman Zach Harrison from the practice squad, released center James Brockermeyer from the practice squad, and signed offensive tackle Colby Sorsdal.
The Falcons now head into a Thursday night road game without one of their most reliable defensive pieces and with little time to prepare.
How the secondary holds up without Terrell will be one of the first tests of whether Atlanta can halt an early slide before it becomes something more serious.
