Falcons’ cornerback Jalen Collins will continue to see more action during games with starting cornerback Desmond Trufant being place on injured reserve on Tuesday.
Collins, a second-year player out of LSU, totaled 17 tackles and started two games in his rookie season, but was suspended for the first four games of this season after violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy in April.
After returning from suspension, Collins played his first game against the San Diego Chargers on Oct. 23 when he was activated from the Falcons’ exempt list. In four games this season, Collins has totaled 12 total tackles and deflected four passes.
On having lots of opportunities to have a good game this week with Trufant out and going up against Kansas City's offense: "It's another opportunity to go out there and just showcase the work that we put in here. Their offense, they've some great players, great receivers, great backs. They have a few guys out but we're still going to be prepared for the looks that they give and just go into the game ready for whatever they throw at us."
On the criticism that he could be a liability to the team with his suspension: "I struggled a little bit with it last year but through this off-season and the time that I was out just working with the guys here at the facility, my family and friends just trying to put that all behind me and work on what's ahead."
On being thrown into the fire this season from being inactive to playing in games: "When you're inactive you see things from a different point of view so just being in those games and seeing the adversity that the guys face during those games, you see certain things a little differently, but (being thrown in the game) definitely helped."
On coming off from several months of not playing football with suspension and the offseason: "Growing up everybody's got where they come from, they're probably one of the better players. But I had gone through some diversity in college where I had to miss some games so I've been through it before and I know how to deal with it."
On Cheifs’ wide receiver Tyreek Hill having an explosive game against the Broncos
: “We’ve got speed on our team, but you have to stay ready mentally because it’s different once you get out there during the game. So we’re going to do the best we can to get the look but with speed like that, you just have to be mentally ready and keep your body fresh.”
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