FLOWERY BRANCH — Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell, who suffered a hamstring injury late in the second quarter against the Vikings on Sunday night, was held out of practice Wednesday and was declared “week to week” by coach Raheem Morris.
Returner Jamal Agnew (groin), outside linebacker James Pearce Jr. (groin) and tight end Charlie Woerner (ankle) also did not practice, according to the team’s official injury report.
Wide receiver Darnell Mooney (shoulder), safety DeMarcco Hellmas (hamstring), linebacker Kaden Elliss (neck) and wide receiver Casey Washington (concussion) were limited in practice.
Dee Alford replaced Terrell in the lineup against the Vikings and said he was ready if he had to take over for an extended period.
“Yes, sir, I’m ready,” Alford told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “I feel like this defensive back group as a whole, everyone is ready for their opportunity.”
Morris plans to hold an open competition to replace Terrell. He mentioned Clark Phillips III, who was inactive for the first two games, and Natrone Brooks as contenders.
Phillips said he’s been ready to go since the opener and that he’s fully recovered from a rib injury. He had an interception in practice.
Cornerbacks C.J. Henderson, Cobee Bryant and Keith Taylor also are on the practice squad.
“We ended it with (Alford) out there,” Morris said. “He got a chance to finish it for us. He did a nice job. He had a knock-down pass and some really good tackles.”
Phillips suffered his rib injury in training camp.
Some expect Terrell to miss more than a week.
“Not a surprise, IMO, out this week and more,” wrote Dr. David J. Chao, a former NFL team doctor, on SICscore.com. “Question is how many weeks?”
Chao provides injury analysis on the website after video reviews of the injuries. He’s considered an expert.
Pitts off to good start
Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts is off to a strong start.
He’s caught 11 of 13 targets for 96 yards this season. He’s picked up seven first downs on his receptions.
“It was great for our team and our morale,” Pitts said about the victory over the Vikings. “Obviously, it’s not good losing the first game, but it was good for us to put that behind us and try to go 1-0 (last) week, which we did.”
Pitts enjoyed the fourth-quarter drive that put the game away. Running back Tyler Allgeier scored on a 5-yard touchdown run.
“It was great just looking at one another, looking to our right and our left, and knowing that we had to win that game,” Pitts said. “It starts with the guys up front. We are going to all play as an 11 and see where it takes us.”
Pitts know the Panthers will play the Falcons tough.
“Watch the tape, see our mistakes and also don’t downplay the good things,” Pitts said. “Try and go 1-0 again this week.”
Right side of line
Guard Chris Lindstrom and tackle Elijah Wilkinson are starting to work better together on the right side of the offensive line.
Wilkinson is taking over for Kaleb McGary, who is out for the season with a left leg injury.
“It’s a lot better,” Lindstrom said. “I thought our communication was good last week. But it’s even better now. We are getting better with spacing, seeing things and communicating. Two percent marginally better, but that’s a lot. It’s going to continue to get better between the two of us.”
Wilkinson is in his ninth season in the NFL.
“He’s great,” Lindstrom said. “He knows exactly what he’s seeing and what he needs from me and what I need from him. We are continuing to hammer that home. So far, it’s been really good.”
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