A.J.

Terrell

According to KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson, the Falcons converted $12 million of Terrell’s salary for next season into a $12 million signing bonus, lowering his 2026 salary to $3 million. Terrell is under contract through the 2028 season and appeared in 15 games for the Falcons last season, totaling 68 tackles and 12 pass breakups while earning a PFF coverage grade of 57.3.

That puts Terrell in line to return from a two-game absence against one of the top teams in the AFC on Monday night. The Bills don’t necessarily have a top wide receiver for Terrell to shadow, although he is likely to see the most of second-year standout Keon Coleman on the perimeter.

Terrell has been sidelined since straining his hamstring in Week 2 against the Vikings. Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said he “feels really good” about Terrell’s status moving forward. Terrell has decent odds of suiting up for Week 6 against the Bills, with the game taking place on Monday night.

Terrell was ruled out before the weekend, leaving the Falcons absent their top corner for a second-straight week. Outside of that, the Falcons appear to be in good shape to take on a Commanders team that injuries have decimated through the first month of the season.

Raheem Morris said that Terrell could return in Week 5, but after two straight weeks of not practicing he’s likely questionable at best for that matchup. Terrell’s a fine boundary corner who the Falcons will miss, but his absence doesn’t change much against a Commanders team that doesn’t have most of its main receiving options healthy anyway. Dee Alford will likely draw another start.

As expected, Terrell did not practice on Wednesday. Morris said there’s a chance Terrell, who’s been out since Week 1, could suit up in Week 4 against Washington. That seems like a remote possibility, however, considering the seriousness of the injury. With Terrell sidelined, Atlanta’s secondary has struggled to stop opposing passing attacks. If Terrell is out this week, it would be a boon for Washington’s pass catchers and whoever starts at quarterback for the Commanders.

Terrell was injured in-game last week and the Falcons replaced him with former slot CB Dee Alford. The secondary will have a tough time containing Panthers rookie WR Tetairoa McMillan with Terrell stuck on the sideline. Falcons backup CB Mike Ford (groin) is also questionable. On the plus side, Pearce (groin) practiced in full on Friday before being removed from the injury report. He is good to go.

It was a limited session, but it’s a good sign for his chances of playing against the Panthers in Week 3. A.J. Terrell (hamstring) remained out of practice, but it looks like Atlanta could at least have both of their rookie EDGE players available to chase Bryce Young on Sunday.

“We’ll see how it goes,” Morris said of Terrell’s practice participation this week ahead of Atlanta’s Week 3 game against the Panthers. “Obviously those hamstrings are tricky.” Terrell sustained the hamstring injury on Sunday against the Vikings. Terrell’s absence could be a boon for Bryce Young, Tetairoa McMillan, and the rest of the Panthers wideouts. the Falcons have allowed an average of just ten receiver catches per week through Week 2, one of the league’s lowest rates.

Terrell gets $65.8 million in guaranteed money, making him the second-highest-paid corner in league history. Terrell earned a PFF coverage grade of 74.6 last season, allowing 44 receptions for 508 yards and four touchdowns. He also tallied eight pass breakups, per PFF, but hasn’t notched an interception since 2021. The extension for Terrell is just the latest the Falcons have made to bolster their defense. They got aggressive last week when they went out and traded for pass-rusher Matthew Judon and signed safety Justin Simmons in a 24-hour span. The Falcons are building up their defense in Raheem Morris’ first season, which could bode well for them in an NFC South that lacks high-end talent outside of the Buccaneers.