Bijan Robinson, A.J. Terrell return for OTAs

The Falcons get two of their most important players back from short-term injuries.

Bijan Robinson and A.J. Terrell are two of the more vital Atlanta Falcons currently on the roster, given that Robinson figures to lead the backfield and Terrell is the team’s top cornerback. That makes their good health quite important for the team, and that makes today’s update about their health a positive one.

As Daniel Flick wrote yesterday, Robinson made a somewhat surprising return to OTAs today, with the team previously indicating he might return by mandatory minicamp. Terrell is also back in action, setting both up to be fully healthy for the summer. That’s what was expected, but the earlier we see these guys back in action, the better we can feel about what’s ahead.

For Robinson, it’s a recovery from what he described as a small ankle ligament tear, and it’s a relief to know that’s good because running backs by definition need healthy ankles, especially one as shifty as Robinson. Terrell was just dealing with hamstring tightness, which the team was wisely cautious with.

For all that good news, there are still Falcons not attending OTAs. While almost all of those are minorly concerning at this point—it’s early June, and we’re essentially almost two full months away from training camp—the fact that Jase McClellan has yet to suit up while dealing with a pre-existing injury does raise a little bit of an eyebrow. If he’s ready by camp, no worries, but if this injury lingers beyond that point it might open the door for Carlos Washington to snag a roster spot early in the year.

This is a time of optimism, as it should be given that the season is still ahead, an exciting offseason is behind us, and there are very few things to dent our good feelings. The fact that this team appears to be healthy heading into a very consequential season is just another reason to let that June positivity run rampant, so soak it in.