Near the end of the second training-camp practice, defensive end Takkarist McKinley and wide receiver Calvin Ridley left the field with injuries Saturday.
McKinley, who’s coming back from left shoulder surgery in February, initially was diagnosed with a bruise, and Ridley was going to have his hamstring or knee checked.
With about 30 minutes to go in the two-hour practice, Falcons trainer Marty Lauzon was on the sideline checking McKinley’s right arm. After checking the right arm, he lifted both arms from the elbow a few times.
McKinley, who had right shoulder surgery in March 2017, was pulled from the remainder of practice.
Ridley was set to speak to the media, but his session was canceled after he went into the training room.
“First report was that there is nothing serious for us, but I’ll give you a better update tomorrow,” Quinn said. “It looks like a minor precaution as opposed to anything to get worried about. But I’ll give you an update (Sunday).”
Also, running back Ito Smith was held out of practice with an undisclosed injury.
Quinn expects good news from the trainers.
The Falcons are counting on McKinley to replace Adrian Clayborn, who led the team in sacks last season, but wasn’t re-signed.
McKinley, who was selected with the 26th pick of the 2016 draft, has had some trouble with his shoulders. He also had surgery on his right shoulder March 3, 2016.
Before that, he played the final two seasons at UCLA with a torn labrum and glenoid fractured socket.
On Feb. 1, McKinley posted a photo of himself in medical clothing and requested prayers from his followers as he went to surgery.
He posted another picture later with him giving the peace sign and his left shoulder in a sling. He wrote about having "two good shoulders."
The Falcons held McKinley out of offseason workouts, but he was pronounced ready for training camp.
McKinley played in all 16 games last season. He had 20 tackles and six sacks. He played 401 defensive snaps (38 percent).
The Falcons are counting on McKinley to replace Clayborn, who led the team with 9.5 sacks last season. Clayborn, who played 567 defensive snaps (53.8 percent) signed with New England in free agency.
“It’s my first time since sophomore year having two good shoulders,” McKinley said Friday before suffering the injury Saturday. “I’ve always been playing with a bad shoulder these last few seasons, so to have two healthy shoulders going into the season it feels great.”
The Falcons are counting on McKinley making a big jump in his second season in the NFL.
“To have no limitations on his development I think is really important,” Quinn said. “Not just from conditioning and technique work, but just the whole scheme and plan.”
McKinley was starting to blend in with the first unit.
“It’s awesome having Takk back,” defensive tackle Grady Jarrett said. “Didn’t get to see him in OTAs. Having him in live action here in training camp is perfect. We get to work and get ready for the season. I’m really excited for him. I think he’s going to have a really big year.”
The Falcons are hopeful that McKinley will not miss any time. They looks forward to pairing McKinley with Vic Beasley.
“The main emphasis for (Beasley) as a pass rusher, and for Takk, at their spot, they really have to push their conditioning,” Quinn said. “Every day they go as a pass rusher it has to be as wide open and as fast as it can be.”
Ridley was drafted with the 26th pick in the 2018 draft. He’s expected to replace Taylor Gabriel in the offense.
“The expectations are for him to (have a great) training camp,” Quinn said of Ridley. “The season, that is so far away from us. Can he throw a hell of a day tomorrow? It will be the first time there with the team doing red-zone work. We’ll leave any expectations up (to the media).”
Quinn wasn’t overly concerned about either injury.
“It was more precautionary for us,” he said.
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