The Falcons have had a revolving door at cornerback opposite of A.J. Terrell, and it continued last week with Mike Hughes getting the start before rotating with Clark Phillips III in the second half. Last year, it was Jeff Okudah, who moved on this offseason, signing with the Texans.
The former 3rd overall pick has struggled to stay on the field during his career, but he started nine games for the Falcons last season, appearing in 13 total. Joining Houston in free agency, the hope was that Okudah would solidify the boundary opposite of Derek Stingley Jr.
Unfortunately, the 25-year-old suffered a hip injury in the Texans’ Week 1 victory over the Colts, and it resulted in him being placed on the injured reserve. It’s another terrible hand for a young man who has dealt with injuries his entire career.
He battled injuries after the Lions selected him with the 3rd overall pick in 2020, including a torn Achilles in 2021, only appearing in 10 games across the first two seasons of his career.
2022 was his most healthy season, starting in 15 games and only missing two due to a concussion. Last season in Atlanta, he suffered an ankle injury during training camp, costing him the first two games of the season.
Eventually, he was replaced by Clark Phillips late in the season, and the rookie never gave the job back. The hope was that Jeff Okudah would find a home in Houston, but he’ll have to wait at least four weeks to see the field for the Texans again.
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Photographer: Steven King/Icon Sportswire
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