Falcons: Dante Fowler has been activated off of the COVID-19 list

According to multiple reports, the Falcons have finally activated Dante Fowler off the COVID-19 list.

Dante Fowler has been activated off the COVID-19 list.

— Scott Bair (@ScottBairNFL) August 6, 2021

After the first practices of the year, Arthur Smith led the media to believe that Fowler would have to earn his reps once he returns. “We’ll have to assess it when he gets back,” Smith said last Thursday after the Falcons’ first practice of training camp. “But Dante, it is what it is, it’s like an injury. You hope he’s healthy, and when he gets back, we have to assess him.”

I believe in an equal opportunity coach in almost any situation, but the Falcons EDGE group is in desperate need of some juice. Jacob Tuioti-Mariner and Adetokunbo Ogundeji have been getting valuable reps with the first-team defense, which is great for their development. Still, they aren’t moving the needle for this defense. 2020 was a down year for Fowler, but he’s still the most talented pass rusher on this defensive front. Dean Pees will need Fowler’s absolute best if this group is to put up respectable numbers.

It’s good to have the former third-overall pick back at practice in what is such a critical offseason for the Falcons. Hopefully, it won’t take him too long to get acclimated with the process of practice and Pees’ scheme.