Falcons hope McKinley’s ready for third exhibition game
Falcons defensive end Takkarist McKinley, who’s recovering from shoulder surgery, will be “limited” at the start of training camp, according to Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff.
The Falcons are hoping that McKinley, who was selected with the 26th overall pick in the draft, will be ready to play in the third or fourth exhibition game.
“We don’t have the exact date on when he’ll be ready to practice,” Dimitroff said on Monday during an community service appearance at the East Lake YMCA. “He is moving along good and well. I think our big (goal) is to hopefully have him ready for some of the (action), maybe game three and four. He’s going to come in and ease in properly as far as at the beginning of training camp. Again, he’s a resilient guy. He’s a driven guy. I think we are in a good spot.”
McKinley had surgery on March 3 and at the combine said he had a “four to six months” recovery period.
“All indications are that he’s on the front end of the curve as far as his rehab,” Dimitroff said.
McKinley was a two-year starter for the UCLA Bruins after overcoming some early academic issues.
He lined up at left and right defensive end in the Bruins’ four-man front, standing up and putting his hand on the ground. He was a legitimate candidate for Pac-12 defensive player of the year last season with 10 sacks.
“We’d love for him to be able to participate in the (exhibition) games,” Dimitroff said. “That could be a matter of handful or plays or more. Our point is that we want to make sure that we are mindful of how we are healing him (and that) he’s progressing well. That’s what we are excited and positive about.”
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Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.
