Falcons open A.J. Terrell’s return window after four games out

A.J. Terrell Jr. is returning to Falcons practice after four games on injured reserve, giving Atlanta a chance to get its top cornerback back before Sunday's meeting with San Francisco.

The Falcons announced Wednesday that Terrell's return starts his 21-day practice window. He remains on injured reserve until the team activates him; Wednesday's designation does not establish that he will play against the 49ers.

Terrell injured his groin early in Atlanta's Week 2 loss to Carolina. The Falcons have 21 days to add him to the active roster. If he is not activated during that period, he will remain on injured reserve for the rest of the season.

Atlanta's cornerback rotation has changed

C.J. Henderson initially filled the outside spot opposite Mike Hughes, but Henderson then suffered a groin injury in Week 5 against Baltimore. With Henderson unavailable Sunday against Chicago, rookie Avieon Terrell, A.J.'s brother, started outside. Billy Bowman Jr. played in the slot before leaving that game injured.

Head coach Kevin Stefanski also said Wednesday that linebacker Kendal Daniels would practice and is not in concussion protocol, Falcons Wire reported. Daniels had been taken from Sunday's game with a neck injury. D. Orlando Ledbetter's report from the coach's availability identified both Daniels and Terrell as returning to practice.

Stefanski said Henderson would get some work Wednesday as well, with his status still to be evaluated. Atlanta therefore begins the week with several possible returns to assess, rather than a settled lineup for Sunday.

Terrell has started 95 games for the Falcons. The club credited him with 12 pass defenses and two forced fumbles last season. His practice participation over the coming days will determine whether Atlanta can restore him to the lineup against San Francisco.

Sources

• Aaron Wilson: Terrell designated to return
• Falcons: Terrell begins his return window
• Falcons Wire: Stefanski's Wednesday injury updates
• D. Orlando Ledbetter: Terrell and Daniels will practice