Falcons first-round Kaleb McGary, who had a heart ablation procedure weeks ago, has been cleared to return to some team activities, coach Dan Quinn said.
McGary will participate in the team walk-through sessions, do some conditioning on the side with trainers, but has not been cleared for contact.
“He won’t play in our game this week,” Quinn said. “It will certainly be good to have him back going into the week and start his preparation to return. I don’t have a time line or a time-table on that. But our general return to play guidelines will be in effect.”
During the end of the opening period, McGary, who had on his helmet, was lighting jogging with Sambrailo.
Several experts have projected that McGary’s recovery period will be six to eight weeks, but it could be sooner based on the amount of heart that was repaired and the use of blood thinners.
McGary left practice on July 30 with what the team called an "illness."
The Falcons announced that he would have an ablation procedure Wednesday, July 31. Doctors have said McGary's condition is not grave.
McGary is expected to make a full recovery. There's a discrepancy on how many times McGary has had a heart procedure. The Falcons contend this is his third procedure. The Seattle Times reported in 2016 that he previously had three procedures.
“We have a couple guys coming back this week: (cornerback Taveze) Calhoun (undisclosed), (left guard James) Carpenter (hip flexor) and (defensive tackle Ra’Shede) Hageman (groin) back into the full practice,” Quinn said.
Also, running back Kenjon Barner (ankle) was back at practice fielding punts.
Several players who were hurt against the Jets will not practice
“A couple guys, who will be out for the next few days, we haven’t made a decision all the way for the game: (wide receiver Russell) Gage (hip), (cornerback Damontae) Kazee (ribs), (cornerback Kendall) Sheffield (hamstring), (right tackle Ty) Sambrailo (shoulder) and (quarterback Matt) Simms (undisclosed). For all of them, it wouldn’t be anything that would keep them out long term.”
Also, linebacker Foye Oluokun (groin), linebacker Deion Jones (foot), wide receiver Julio Jones (foot) and Gage were working off to the side with the trainers.
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