Falcons free safety Ricardo Allen was looking forward to getting his practice plan from the medical staff after reporting for training camp on Sunday.
Allen is recovering from an torn left Achilles and not expected to fully participate when practice starts on Monday.
“This is the closest that I’ve been to being back on the field,” Allen said. “Just checking into camp. I’m still surprised that I’m here. That’s a good thing.”
Allen, who signed a three-year, $19.5 million contract extension over the 2018 offseason, was injured in overtime of the 43-37 loss to the Saints on Sept. 23. Allen, the unit’s signal-caller, is in the final stages of rehabbing his injury, which is normally a nine month to a year process for full recovery.
“I don’t know (when he’ll return),” Allen said. “I’m following their program. I just take it ... I’m a day-by-day guy, so I’m going to keep it day-by-day. Whatever they tell me I can do, I’m going to go for it. I’m going to following the plan and be ready when it’s time to go.”
Allen would not say how close he was to 100 percent.
“I feel good,” Allen said. “I feel like I can beat a lot of people. I feel like I can compete and do some good things. That’s good enough for me right now.
“I don’t know if I’m 100 (percent healthy). I might be 1,000. You never know, I might be more than 100. I don’t know.”
Allen can’t wait to get back on the field.
“I’m ready to be back,” Allen said. “It’s been a long time coming. I have a lot of football built up in me.”
Conversely, Allen doesn’t want to rush his return.
“I can do really everything,” Allen said. “I’m functioning. I can run and cut. I can really do all of it, but I don’t really know the whole process.
“They are going to tell me whatever they want for me, and I’m going to try to follow that plan to the best of my ability. ... I know I still have some time for the season to come, so I’m going to be smart with my body. I’m going to try to be out there to support my team and just grind as much as I can.”
Position-by-position series: July 8: Special teams | July 9: Safeties | July 10: Cornerbacks | July 11: Linebackers | July 12: Defensive line | July 13: Quarterbacks |July 14: Offensive line | July 15: Wide receivers | July 16: Tight ends | July 17: Running backs
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