FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – Organized team activities are underway for the Falcons and several players who were dealing with injuries at the end of last season are back on the field, flying around.
Running back Devonta Freeman was among those dealing with an injury late last year. Freeman reportedly injured his knee in Atlanta's regular-season finale against the Carolina Panthers and played through his injury during the Falcons' two postseason games against the Los Angeles Rams and the Philadelphia Eagles.
Freeman did not have surgery on his knee over the offseason and has spent the past few months rehabbing. At the start of the voluntary offseason program, Freeman said he was getting back to being able to run and cut, something he couldn't do right after the season ended. During Tuesday's OTA session, Freeman looked to be running with good speed and was cutting smoothly.
"I thought he really put the work in to come back and look strong," Falcons head coach Dan Quinn said of Freeman.
Wide receiver Justin Hardy and defensive tackle Jack Crawford were also back on the field after undergoing surgery at some point in the past year. Crawford's surgery took place during the regular season after he was placed on IR due to a biceps injury in early October, while Hardy had minor surgery on his shoulder after the season concluded.
Two Falcons who were present at practice but did not participate were defensive end Takkarist McKinley and guard Andy Levitre. Quinn said Levitre, who ended the season on IR due to a triceps injury, is "making a real push" to be ready to participate at some level by mandatory minicamp.
Some players are at different points in their rehab progress but overall Quinn is pleased with what he's seen in terms of the work his players have put in to be ready to compete this offseason.
"All of them have really busted it to get ready," Quinn said.
