It's been way too long since the last snap of the ball for Falcons linebacker Justin Durant. Months before signing a free agent deal with the Falcons in March, Durant suffered a biceps injury in Week 8 that claimed the remainder of his season with the Dallas Cowboys.
Following his 2014 campaign, Durant considered different teams to sign with before admitting that he joined the Falcons largely because of new head coach Dan Quinn.
"He allows his guys to make the plays," Durant said. "He puts everybody in the best position, and they just go out there and do it. It's not really too complex, but the guys just do their jobs perfectly, and I'm excited to be a part of a system like that."
Long before the ink dried on Durant's contract with the Falcons, the 6-foot-1, 230-pound linebacker endured months of rehab work to recover from the biceps injury. Weeks ago, he was medically cleared to participate in offseason activities, which begin Monday. Durant was told early by the club that he'll likely play the Will (weakside linebacker) position, something he's done a lot during his eight years in the league.
The Falcons' 2016 roster is constantly evolving and we've amassed all the players in one gallery that will be updated throughout the year
CB Robert Alford
S Ricardo Allen
DT Jonathan Babineaux
OLB Vic Beasley Jr.
P Matt Bosher
K Matt Bryant
LB De'Vondre Campbell
RG Chris Chester
DE Adrian Clayborn
RB Tevin Coleman
CB Jalen Collins - Reserve Suspended List (4 Games)
T Tom Compton
FB Patrick DiMarco
RB Devonta Freeman
DE Dwight Freeney
WR Devin Fuller - IR
G Ben Garland
FS Dashon Goldson
CB C.J. Goodwin
DT Ra'Shede Hageman
WR Justin Hardy
LS Josh Harris
TE Austin Hooper
S Kemal Ishmael
DE Tyson Jackson
DT Grady Jarrett
LB Deion Jones
WR Julio Jones
CB Akeem King - IR
G Andy Levitre
C Alex Mack
T Jake Matthews
S Keanu Neal
TE Josh Perkins
G Mike Person
FS Brian Poole
LB Brooks Reed
LB LaRoy Reynolds
WR Aldrick Robinson
QB Matt Ryan
WR Mohamed Sanu
QB Matt Schaub
T Ryan Schraeder
G Wes Schweitzer
DE Derrick Shelby
TE Jacob Tamme
S Robenson Therezie
TE Levine Toilolo
CB Desmond Trufant
LB Courtney Upshaw
CB DeMarcus Van Dyke - IR
RB Terron Ward
LB Sean Weatherspoon
WR Eric Weems
LB Philip Wheeler
WR Nick Williams
LB Paul Worrilow
Describing himself as a "run-and-hit linebacker," Durant plays quick, explosive football. The 29-year-old star plans to be "always around the ball" in 2015, challenging his teammates to meet him there, as well.
In addition to the helping the team on the field, Durant will also be relied upon as a mentor in the locker room.
"The younger guys, they come up to me now, just wanting to know how to make it in the league," Durant said.
"It's not even about the football things all the time, it's about how to take care of your body, the best way to go about certain situations and things like that. I think me just talking to them as people will help them even more than me helping them with X's and O's."
