Falcons' Hutchins regains his foothold

FLOWERY BRANCH —- Nearly one year later, Von Hutchins still is not the same.

But he's getting closer every day.

The Falcons' defensive back was signed last offseason to be another veteran in the secondary, a nickel back to play ahead of, and teach, several young players. He didn't make it past the first day of training camp.

Hutchins suffered a Lisfranc fracture when a defensive end stepped on his left foot during a drill. A day later, he was put on injured reserve, and his season was over.

"It's something that happens every day at practice, but this time it turned out to be something more than what I expected," Hutchins said Wednesday after participating in organized team activities.

"Right off the top, I knew it was something I never felt before."

A broken foot, no big deal right? But it was.

He had surgery to repair the bone, which included the insertion of screws, ligaments and tendons at the arch at the top middle of the foot where the bones that end with the toes originate. He was on crutches for four months, a walking boot for six months. As Hutchins put it, he couldn't even wear two shoes for "a good amount of time." He didn't start walking on his own until January. He began light running in March.

The recovery has been nearly a year long. So, being able to take part in practice, just as of last week, is a big deal.

"I still don't feel like my normal self," Hutchins said. "I don't have all my quickness, but that will come. I see progress. ... The rest is going to come with time and a little more experience on the field."

After signing a four-year, $9 million deal as a free agent, Hutchins missed an entire season for the first time in his five-year career. The only surgery he had before the injury was for the removal of bone spurs in his knee.

Hutchins said while he was away he reflected on his life away from football. He continued to work with the Lupus Foundation of America, as his mother suffers from the disease.

He admits the time away was difficult and the desire to return a motivator. Hutchins sought the advice of other NFL players who had suffered the Lisfranc injury —- Keith Brooking, Dwight Freeney and Brandon Stokley. Hutchins stayed in touch with his teammates and continued to learn the Falcons' system. He picked up game film, watched it and returned with questions.

"I got away from football to an extent, but this is my home, this is my life. This is how I support my family," Hutchins said. "It brings along a hunger that I have to perform this year."

All along, he worked with those young players —- such as Chris Houston, Chevis Jackson and Thomas DeCoud. He'll be counted on to continue that this season as he is now the second-most experienced player in the defensive backfield. Now, he gets to do so by playing alongside them.

"He's still working his way back in slowly," defensive backs coach Alvin Reynolds said. "He's playing at nickel back trying to develop the depth at that position. He's a guy that adds some veteran presence to us and provides some leadership. We need a guy like Von Hutchins, especially with all our young guys."

Versatility might be Hutchins' top quality. He can play cornerback and safety. He saw some time Wednesday at both.

"We see him as a guy that can help our team, whether it be at the corner, whether it be at the nickel, whether it be at the safety," Reynolds said.

Hutchins said he plans to be ready for the start of training camp Aug. 1.

"It's big for us because we envisioned him to be a contributor in the secondary when we signed him," coach Mike Smith said.

It's taking awhile, but that's just what Hutchins intends to do.

Falcons notes