Post by Guvmintcheeze on Oct 22, 2015 20:51:53 GMT
Justin Durant, Mike Person could play against Titans
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Atlanta Falcons coach Dan Quinn said starting weakside linebacker Justin Durant and starting center Mike Person could return to the lineup Sunday against Tennessee provided there are no setbacks.
The Falcons have missed Durant's presence on defense.
"He's a factor for sure for us,'' Quinn said of Durant. "We were encouraged by the first day [Wednesday's return to practice]. And then we want to take him through today and tomorrow. If we're able to go through and make the necessary steps we want to make, then we'll anticipate having him back. If we have a setback between today and tomorrow, then we would hold [him out]. The first day went according to plan. And now the next day, keep throwing him in there, keep playing him, and keep battling for it.''
Durant, who suffered ligament damage in his left elbow against Houston, has missed the last two games. He was the team's leading tackler before being sidelined and a player the Falcons could count on to make plays against the run and in coverage.
"It's the speed that he has,'' Quinn said. "It's also a veteran player. He's got savvy. But really, when you see him run, that's the thing that jumps out. As a zone player ... he can really close. We anticipate all the stuff that he can do, and now it's a process of going through it this week and showing, `OK, I can do all the stuff that I need to do to be at my best.' ''
Durant said he plans to wear a brace on his left arm if he returns against the Titans. He's worn the brace in practice.
"It's been what it is,'' Durant said of dealing with the injury. "I'm just ready to get back out there. ... Just to be on the safe side, probably will wear the brace.''
Durant has dealt with numerous injuries in the past, including a season-ending biceps tear last year while playing for the Dallas Cowboys. Since joining the Falcons, he has battled foot, groin and elbow injuries.
"I know I've been through it a lot,'' Durant said. "It's just part of my body. Stuff happens sometimes. I've been through it before, and guys have helped me through it -- coaches and everybody. I'm just ready to get back out there.''
As for Person, he sprained his left ankle against the Washington Redskins blocking on the field-goal unit and missed last week's game against New Orleans Saints. He was replaced by James Stone, who had a critical turnover on a bad snap in a 31-21 loss to the NFC South rival.
Person, like Durant, is itching to get back on the field.
"We'll see,'' Person said. "I definitely had a little pep in my step on Monday. It was nice to get out there and move around instead of being stuck up on a table getting treatment. Last Friday, I kind of started moving on it more. That's when I felt like we really turned the corner.''
Receivers Roddy White (knee), Eric Weems (knee), and Leonard Hankerson (hamstring/ribs) all said they were fine coming off their respective injuries.
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Atlanta Falcons coach Dan Quinn said starting weakside linebacker Justin Durant and starting center Mike Person could return to the lineup Sunday against Tennessee provided there are no setbacks.
The Falcons have missed Durant's presence on defense.
"He's a factor for sure for us,'' Quinn said of Durant. "We were encouraged by the first day [Wednesday's return to practice]. And then we want to take him through today and tomorrow. If we're able to go through and make the necessary steps we want to make, then we'll anticipate having him back. If we have a setback between today and tomorrow, then we would hold [him out]. The first day went according to plan. And now the next day, keep throwing him in there, keep playing him, and keep battling for it.''
Durant, who suffered ligament damage in his left elbow against Houston, has missed the last two games. He was the team's leading tackler before being sidelined and a player the Falcons could count on to make plays against the run and in coverage.
"It's the speed that he has,'' Quinn said. "It's also a veteran player. He's got savvy. But really, when you see him run, that's the thing that jumps out. As a zone player ... he can really close. We anticipate all the stuff that he can do, and now it's a process of going through it this week and showing, `OK, I can do all the stuff that I need to do to be at my best.' ''
Durant said he plans to wear a brace on his left arm if he returns against the Titans. He's worn the brace in practice.
"It's been what it is,'' Durant said of dealing with the injury. "I'm just ready to get back out there. ... Just to be on the safe side, probably will wear the brace.''
Durant has dealt with numerous injuries in the past, including a season-ending biceps tear last year while playing for the Dallas Cowboys. Since joining the Falcons, he has battled foot, groin and elbow injuries.
"I know I've been through it a lot,'' Durant said. "It's just part of my body. Stuff happens sometimes. I've been through it before, and guys have helped me through it -- coaches and everybody. I'm just ready to get back out there.''
As for Person, he sprained his left ankle against the Washington Redskins blocking on the field-goal unit and missed last week's game against New Orleans Saints. He was replaced by James Stone, who had a critical turnover on a bad snap in a 31-21 loss to the NFC South rival.
Person, like Durant, is itching to get back on the field.
"We'll see,'' Person said. "I definitely had a little pep in my step on Monday. It was nice to get out there and move around instead of being stuck up on a table getting treatment. Last Friday, I kind of started moving on it more. That's when I felt like we really turned the corner.''
Receivers Roddy White (knee), Eric Weems (knee), and Leonard Hankerson (hamstring/ribs) all said they were fine coming off their respective injuries.