The Falcons started their Organized Team Activities on Monday and there will be weekly access and the mandatory minicamp (June 11-13) to wrap up the offseason.
The team will then reconvene in mid-July for training camp:
Here are five things to know about OTAs:
1. Phase Three | 6 hours a day — Four weeks total. Three weeks for 10 total OTAs. A maximum of three OTA's each week for the first two weeks. During Weeks 1 and 2 a fourth non-OTA workout is allowed but phase two rules apply. A maximum of four OTA's for the 3rd or 4th week.
One week for minicamp. No pads except protective knee and elbow pads, helmets are permitted. No live contact. 7 on 7, 9 on 7 and 11 on 11 drills will be permitted provided no live contact takes place.
2. Mandatory minicamp. The rules for the mandatory minicamp include work for 10 hours a day. Physicals on Monday, but no practice. Practices Tuesday-Thursday, with a day off on Friday.
The rules allow two practices totaling 3.5 hours on the field per day.
Second practice limited to walk through activities only
3. Attendance. The Falcons are expecting 100 percent attendance for the minicamp. Julio Jones did not report Monday for first day of OTAs.
4. Injury report. Fourth-round pick Kendall Sheffield (pectoral injury) and sixth-round pick Marcus Green (hamstring) didn't take part in the practice during rookie minicamp.
Sheffield, a cornerback from Ohio State, and Green, a running back/returner from Louisiana-Monroe, took part in the walk-through portions.
Also, during the open session on Thursday, we’ll get to see how much work safety Keanu Neal (knee) and free safety Ricardo Allen (Achilles) are doing.
5. Offensive line watch: Rookie guard Chris Lindstrom and tackle Kaleb McGary lined up on the right side during rookie minicamp.
Offensive line coach Chris Morgan’s line combinations will be closely watched.
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