It's safe to say the injury bug really hasn't gone the Atlanta Falcons' way during training camp. Jalon Walker's season-ending ACL tear was just the spark, but the Falcons have lost other key defensive starters in Divine Deablo, Xavier Watts, Avieon Terrell, and Jessie Bates in recent practice sessions.
Jeff Ulbrich's defense couldn't possibly be more battered by the injury bug, but it seems like the worst of it is over. Not only did Kevin Stefanski reveal that none of these players are dealing with long-term issues, he said that the Falcons are inching closer to getting both Bates and Watts back.
While addressing the media before Monday's practice, Stefanski revealed that both star safeties will be "out there" at practice as they both returned to practice. And considering that Atlanta is about to kick off their joint practices with the Indianapolis Colts, this is the injury update we badly needed.
The Atlanta Falcons are getting closer to seeing some starters return
The second-year safety hasn't been out for very long, but Jessie Bates has missed a little more than the last week of practices due to a back injury, which Stefanski labeled a "minor back thing". And right now it appears that none of the Falcons' injured starters are in danger of missing Week 1.
There was briefly some speculation that Bates was holding in for a new contract, but that was quickly debunked. Watts should be a full go in joint workouts, but it's a little less clear about his partner in crime-- and if he's sidelined, expect DeMarcco Hellams to again take first-team reps in his absence.
The safety tandem is one of the strengths of this Dirty Birds roster, and has made the lives of the rest of the secondary easier. They make plays all over the football field, generate takeaways, and have elite range and IQ--but they're also two of the locker room leaders this defense responds to most.
Getting both Watts and Bates back is an immeasurable upgrade for a Falcons defense that cannot handle anymore anguish, especially now that James Pearce Jr. was handed an eight-game suspension. So right now, this unit can use all of the reinforcements and returns it can possibly get.
The Falcons already got Divine Deablo back before joint practice with the Colts, so let the major returns keep coming. The defense can't afford to be without one of them, maybe, but not both. But regardless of how you slice it, Atlanta is getting both Jessie Bates II and Xavier Watts back at the perfect time before these joint workouts--and they finally have the injury bug starting to clear up.
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