Falcons linebacker Brooks Reed, who had groin surgery about three weeks ago, returned to practice on Thursday.
“Brooks Reed will back today,” Falcons coach Dan Quinn said. “He particiapted in the walkthrough and will do some things. The rehab has gone great. It will be good to get him going today.”
Running back Tevin Coleman (fractured rib) and returner Devin Hester (turf toe) will not practice. Also, defensive end Kroy Biermann, who was excused for personal reasons on Wednesday, returned to practice and fully participating.
Quinn was not sure if Reed has a chance to play against Dallas on Sunday.
“I’d rather go through today and tomorrow and take a better look,” Quinn said. “The main thing is that he’s way ahead of schedule in terms of the effort to come back. He put tons into it to get ready. For him, being back out, we’ll get him in a limited fashion today, will be huge. It’s a good statement about how hard he worked to get back.”
Reed, who struggled with a groin injury over the offseason, played a total of 17 plays in two exhibition games, before seeing a specialist and having surgery.
Reed played the past four seasons with the Houston Texans. He was signed to a five-year, $22 million contract, with $9 million guaranteed by the Falcons in free agency.
Reed is a key piece to the defense, which is hoping to rebound from being ranked last in the league in 2014.
Reed was running well through drills with the training staff on Wednesday.
The injury was originally announced as a hip strain, but Reed said it’s a groin injury. He also said it’s unrelated to the groin injury he suffered over the offseason.
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