The earliest that Falcons first-round pick Takkarist McKinley could be in the team’s building is on Friday, head coach Dan Quinn said on Tuesday.
McKinley, who’s recovering from shoulder surgery, can not attend any team functions because UCLA’s spring quarter is not over until Thursday, per NFL rules. The Falcons conclude minicamp Thursday.
“Well, of course, you’d like to have him here,” Quinn said. “We knew that going in that players from those programs (who are on quarters would be limited.)”
The Falcons don’t believe the absence will hold McKinley back.
“It didn’t really slow down (tight end) Austin Hooper much last year,” Quinn said. “He was part of that program at Stanford.”
McKinley was able to attend the team’s rookie minicamp and the team has been using technology to keep him up to speed.
“We are well equipped for that,” Quinn said. “We have a good plan in place on how to get him ready. We’ll execute that plan.”
Defensive line coach Bryant Young is in charge of the plan.
“He has the plays and we just have been able to spend time with him on the phone, just talking about it,” Young said. “He was able to be exposed to some of our installs when he was here for the rookie minicamp.”
Young has one-on-one sessions with him via facetime over the phone.
“That’s been a big plus as well,” Young said. “It’s been a great tool for us to be able to teach some of the coaching points to him and help him understand what we are doing from a scheme standpoint.”
Young can’t wait to get McKinley on the field.
“Absolutely, I kind of hate that he’s not able to be here, so I’m trying to do as much as I can without him physically being here,” Young said. “I think that’s been important for us, to continue to build that relationship and keep him involved on what is going on as much as we kind.”
About the Author
