Falcons’ Grady Jarrett realizes goal by returning from knee injury for start of training camp

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — Grady Jarrett achieved his goal by returning to the field for the Atlanta Falcons’ first training camp practice on Thursday.

For new coach Raheem Morris, having Jarrett taking snaps at defensive tackle for the first time since suffering a knee injury that ended his 2023 season was the perfect way to open camp.

“When you see Grady, Grady lights up everything that he does,” Morris said, adding Jarrett’s positive influence is felt in practice, the meeting room, games and “everything in life.”

“Grady is Atlanta,” Morris said. “He embodies everything that we’re about. He defines our ethos.”

Jarrett, 31, is a two-time Pro Bowler who had started every game for the Falcons since 2018 before tearing his right anterior cruciate ligament on Oct. 29, 2023, in a loss at Tennessee. Since that injury, Jarrett realized he would have to rush his rehabilitation to be cleared for training camp.

“Doing the math I knew it was going to take everything, every day,” Jarrett said. “I set a goal to be back by the opening of training camp and I reached my goal. It felt amazing to be back.”

Jarrett wore a brace on his right knee in Thursday’s light practice and his participation in camp will be monitored.

Morris said the progress of quarterback Kirk Cousins, returning from a torn right Achilles tendon, and running back Bijan Robinson, who was slowed by what he described as a “light sprain” of his left ankle in the offseason, also will be monitored.

Cousins took snaps with the first-team offense through the offseason, including mandatory minicamp. Rookie first-round pick Michael Penix has shared second-team snaps with Taylor Heinicke.

Cousins signed a four-year, $180 million deal with $100 million guaranteed in March. Penix was drafted to eventually succeed Cousins as the starter. The Falcons have stressed that Cousins will start as long as he’s healthy.

“Obviously in my situation it’s just great to be moving around in football cleats again,” Cousins said after Thursday’s practice.

Cousins said actually playing is the final stage of his rehab. He said he would like to play in preseason games but doesn’t expect Morris to grant his wish.

“I want to play but I think that ask fell on deaf ears,” Cousins said, adding the message from Morris was “‘You’re not playing.’”

Added Cousins: “I don’t know if I’m letting the cat out of the bag. ... I think seeing live bullets is helpful but I also see the logic of not doing it.”

Robinson showed no signs of still being slowed by his ankle injury. The second-year running back flashed his usual quickness in his cuts, including on one play when he was shadowed by Jarrett.

“I can’t control that instinct in me,” Jarrett said of his adjustment to Robinson’s cut. “If the ball is over there, I’ve got to go get it. To not even be thinking about the leg, that felt good.”

Added Jarrett with a smile: “If it was game time I could have laid him down.”

NOTES: All training camp sessions at the team’s practice facility will be closed to fans this year as final work is being completed on a renovation project that includes a new locker room, weight room and cafeteria. ... On Wednesday, the team signed OTs Julien Davenport and Zack Bailey and released OT Ryan Coll and P Ryan Sanborn.