FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – After missing Sunday's game, Falcons cornerback Desmond Trufant is out of the league's concussion protocol, head coach Dan Quinn announced on Monday.
The Falcons are on a short week playing on Thursday night against NFC South rival the New Orleans Saints (9-3).
Atlanta will benefit from having Trufant back in the lineup on Thursday against the Saints' aerial attack. Drew Brees has completed 71 percent of his passes for 3,298 yards and 17 touchdowns. New Orleans' leading receiver, Michael Thomas, has 75 receptions for 875 yards and three touchdowns.
Cornerback Brian Poole (back) also returned to practice in a limited role on Monday.