Falcons to welcome rookie standout back to practice

NFL: OCT 13 Falcons at Panthers

In some positive injury news, the Falcons are welcoming rookie Ruke Orhorhoro back to practice this week ahead of the club’s trip to Minnesota, Raheem Morris told the Atlanta media.

“I’m expecting Ruke back going this week in practice and doing some really good things,” Morris said Monday. “He’ll be activated this week. He had the extra week for him because of the bye (week), that doesn’t count as far as the injury reserve, but it looks like he’s going to be fine.”

The second-round pick has been out since the beginning of November, and his 21-day window to either return to the active roster or be shut down for the rest of the season is officially open.

The ankle injury Orhorhoro suffered came in the Falcons’ Week 8 win over the Buccaneers. It took a while for Orhorhoro to even make his regular-season debut, but when he did, the rookie flashed at times. In five games, he totaled five tackles and a quarterback hit, most notably showing up against the run.

The Falcons are still waiting for DeMarrco Hellams to make his way back. The second-year safety has been on the injured reserve since the end of August due to an ankle injury he suffered in the preseason. But getting Ruke Orhorhoro back should at least provide valuable depth for a Falcons defensive front that may have turned the corner last week against the Chargers, sacking Justin Herbert five times, marking a season-high.

With the Vikings looming, the Falcons will need all of the help they can get.

Photographer: John Byrum/Icon Sportswire
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