Atlanta Falcons: Takkarist McKinley may make debut, getting special teams reps

When the Atlanta Falcons play the Steelers on the road next Sunday the team hopes rookie Takkarist McKinley can make his debut, and he may cover punts

It’s looking more and more like we will finally get a glimpse of defensive end Takkarist McKinley in an Atlanta Falcons uniform. The first-round pick out of UCLA is looking healthy in practice and the team is even putting him through the ringer as he’s been getting reps in special teams.

Head coach Dan Quinn reportedly wants to see how McKinley does in that area and said that with his speed he can surely have a role.

"“We’re going to try him in all, and then figure it out,” Quinn said via Vaughn McClure of ESPN. “If he’s suiting up, you can have a role. With that kind of speed, there can be some role you can do. Maybe it’s holding up on punt return, or it’s covering on punts. He doesn’t have experience at it, but it’s still football.”"

This isn’t anything strange about this approach by Quinn according to McClure. The beat writer says the Falcons did the same thing with 2016 NFL sack leader Vic Beasley, Jr. after drafting him out of Clemson in 2015. The team wanted to see Beasley’s willingness to do whatever was asked of him then, and that’s more than likely the same goal when asking Takk to do the same thing.

Other news for the rookie is that the Falcons are also hopeful McKinley making his debut in Week 2 of the preseason. Atlanta will travel to Pittsburgh to face the Steelers on Sunday and McKinley could very well be in the game.

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There’s no guarantees, but it’s encouraging to know he’s this close after having shoulder surgery in February which put some doubt in the minds of many about his availability as a rookie. Atlanta may very well have gotten a steal if he’s ready to roll before the regular season kicks off.