Falcons defensive end Adrian Clayborn, the team’s second-most effective pass rusher last season, started rehab on his torn bicep on Wednesday.
Clayborn, who’s set to enter the last year of a two-year $9 million contract, suffered the torn bicep during the Falcons’ 36-20 victory over the Seahawks the NFC divisional playoff game on Jan. 14.
Clayborn missed the remainder of the playoffs. He believes the defense will continue to grow in 2017.
“The sky is the limit,” Clayborn said. “We have a lot of young guys and it’s going to be important for the young guys to know that offseason is to enjoy, but it’s also to get right and to better your skills. If we can do that, come back next year with a little bit more fire, who knows what we can do.”
In 2015, Clayborn made five starts over 16 games after signing an incentive-laden, one-year deal. He played 523 defensive snaps (49.8 percent) and made 15 tackles, three sacks and a fumble recovery.
Last season, he played 583 snaps, which was the second-most on the defensive line behind tackle Grady Jarrett’s 630 snaps. He had 4.5 sacks, 22 tackles, eight tackles for loss and one pass breakup. He also returned a fumble for a touchdown.
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