The Atlanta Falcons have been plagued by the injury bug in recent weeks, but are finally dealing with a turning point in this area at the perfect time. They already got Jessie Bates and Xavier Watts back on the practice field, entering joint practices with the Colts, the Falcons managed to get even healthier.
Jeff Ulbrich's defense has been without star linebacker Divine Deablo for the last week-and-a-half after suffering a rolled ankle during their "Saturday Night Lights" practice, but there's a reason we always say timing is everything. Because the Falcons just got their green dot back at the perfect time.
Divine Deablo back at practice for the Falcons today.
— Daniel Flick (@ByDanielFlick) August 19, 2026
New signee WR Beaux Collins is here, too. pic.twitter.com/R0vBh2r61J
Per the AJC's Daniel Flick, Deablo was spotted back at practice during the first of two joint sessions in Indianapolis. So as you would expect, he slotted right back into his role with the starting defense, which is a major get for a team with a pass-rush that's being held together by duct tape at this point.
Divine Deablo returned to practice during a joint session with the Colts
When the injury originally happened, Kevin Stefanski revealed he would be back "sooner rather than later", but they took extra precautions due to the luxury of still being weeks out for a regular season. I'm no doctor, but I don't need to watch The Pitt to know he likely would've played if this was Week 1.
Regardless, it doesn't change the facts: the Dirty Birds are smart for not rushing Divine Deablo back when time wasn't of the essence. The priority is having him ready for Week 1, and if that means holding him out for a couple practices, that's okay, especially since they're lucky to get him back, although rookies Kendal Daniels and Harold Perkins Jr. excelled in his absence.
There is a real argument to be had that 27-year-old is the most important player on this Falcons' defense, especially considering Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. are both going to be out a while. Xavier Watts is up there too, but a LB in the middle of the defense is far more important than a safety.
And if you don't believe me, just look at how much better the defense was with Deablo on the field. With him on the field, Atlanta ranked seventh in the NFL in offensive points allowed, but in the four games in which he was placed on IR in 2025, the Falcons ranked 26th in offensive points allowed.
As a converted safety, the Virginia Tech product has the athleticism to excel in pass coverage, the versatility to be the heart of this defense, and the range to make plays all over the field--and he almost glides across the field. There's a reason he was such great value as a free-agent pickup.
Now that Divine Deablo is back out there, it's some major good fortune for this defense, and I think he's due for an even better season than last year.
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