Hooper fine after first game back from knee injury

Falcons tight end Austin Hooper makes a reception against Cardinals' outside linebacker Haason Reddick during the second half Oct. 13, 2019,  at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.

Credit: Christian Petersen

Credit: Christian Petersen

Falcons tight end Austin Hooper makes a reception against Cardinals' outside linebacker Haason Reddick during the second half Oct. 13, 2019, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.

Falcons tight end Austin Hooper, after missing three games in a knee injury, returned against the Panthers last week.

He caught 2 of 6 targets for 32 yards in the 40-20 win on Sunday.

“It was good,” said Hooper on Wednesday. “I practiced throughout the week and I’ve been playing for awhile now. I fell back on my experience and reps that I have had from games in the past. It didn’t really take but more than a series or two to really feel my rhythm again.”

Hooper has 58 catches for 640 yards and six touchdowns on the season. He was injured in the 29-3 win over the Saints on Nov. 11.

Hooper, who was selected in the third round of the 2016 draft, is set to become an unrestricted free agent in March if he’s not signed to a contract extension.

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