Trufant close to returning to action
Pro Bowl cornerback Desmond Trufant of the Falcons, who’s recovering from pectoral surgery, could return to action sooner than expected.
He could be ready for the end of the OTAs or the team’s mandatory minicamp, which is set for June 13-15.
“I expect him to be back for camp, but possibly even sooner where he could work into some portion of practice over the next two weeks,” Falcons coach Dan Quinn said Thursday. “We’ll see where that goes.”
Trufant, who had surgery Dec. 1, was expected to have a five-month recovery period.
“He’s really pushed it from a rehab standpoint,” Quinn said. “He’s strong. He’s fit. Hopefully, in the next few days we’ll have some clarity on that, and he can do a little bit.”
With Trufant out, second-year player Jalen Collins moved into the starting lineup and played decently at right cornerback.
Trufant, who went to the Pro Bowl after the 2015 season, is considered the Falcons’ top cornerback and signed a lucrative six-year, $68.75 million contract extension this offseason.
“He’s chomping at the bit to get back with his guys,” Quinn said. “We’ll always do right by him by making sure he’s ready to go.”
About the Author
Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.
