The Falcons are getting healthier at the right time.
Rookie linebackers De’Vondre Campbell and Deion Jones both returned to practice on Wednesday. They both plan to play on Sunday when the Falcons (4-1) face the Seattle Seahawks (3-1) at CenturyLink Field.
Both of the speedsters appeared to be at full strength during the team’s punt coverage drills. Getting both players back could provide a boost to the defense.
Jones, who had 30 tackles over four games, could help stop Seattle’s potent rushing attack and contain elusive quarterback Russell Wilson.
The Falcons have struggled in past seasons to cover tight ends and Seattle has three good ones, including Jimmy Graham. Campbell, as the weakside linebacker, would have some responsibility in covering the tight end along with strong safety Keanu Neal.
“Really, the speed. That’s where Deion and Dre’s games come to life,” Falcons coach Dan Quinn said. “Now, we get the real test where we take them through three days of practice and we’ll see how they respond. If they are available (Sunday), we’ll certainly use them. We won’t really know all the way until Saturday.”
Jones and Campbell, who are both recovering from ankle injuries, were limited in practice. Both said they felt fine after working out at University of Washington’s Husky Stadium.
Campbell opened the season as the starter, but suffered a high ankle sprain on Sept. 15 and has missed four games. Jones was injured after putting a big hit on Carolina quarterback Cam Newton two weeks ago and did not play last week against Denver.
“It was kind of a freak accident,” Campbell said of his injury. “It was towards the end of practice. I was in man coverage against (Austin) Hooper and it was an overthrown ball. I was running and the pass was incomplete.
“I was trying to slow down and somebody ran in front of me and I tried to avoid them. I jumped in the air and I just landed on it the wrong way. It kind of buckled on me. It was very unfortunate.”
Campbell was replaced in the lineup by Sean Weatherspoon until he ruptured his Achilles tendon against Carolina and was lost for the season. Against Denver, strong safety Kemal Ishmael started for Campbell, a fourth-round draft pick out of Minnesota.
“The toughest part was just sitting there watching,” Campbell said. “I’ve never been injured before. It just kind of helps me grow as a man over the past month with just being able to deal with adversity as it comes.”
He’s looking forward to playing the Seahawks.
“They’ve got three really good tight ends,” Campbell said. “They are really athletic. They can run. They can sneak up on you if you let them. I’m looking forward to the matchup.”
LaRoy Reynolds started at middle linebacker for Jones against Denver and made five tackles.
Additionally, linebacker Paul Worrilow, a key special teams player, returned to practice from groin surgery. He was also limited in practice.
Falcons defensive coordinator Richard Smith is more than ready to welcome Campbell and Smith back to the unit. He believes they’ll help with containing Wilson.
“(Wilson) is a heck of athlete in terms of making a lot of plays with his feet,” Smith said. “He has scrambling ability up the middle, to the left and to the right. So, he’s a threat from that standpoint.”
In addition to Graham, the Seahawks use tight ends Luke Wilson and Brandon Williams. Graham and Wilson started in their last game against the Jets.
“If you look at the tight end position, they are talented there, too,” Smith said. “They are tall and they can run. They can create some mismatch problems for you.”
