Atlanta Falcons safety Ricardo Allen played in just three games this past year before suffering a torn Achilles, and as a result, he is not expected to fully participate in practice on Monday.
“This is the closest that I’ve been to being back on the field,” Allen said, according to D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “Just checking into camp. I’m still surprised that I’m here. That’s a good thing.”
As for his recovery? Allen says he is simply following what the team tells him to do:
“I don’t know (when he’ll return),” Allen said. “I’m following their program. I just take it … I’m a day-by-day guy, so I’m going to keep it day-by-day. Whatever they tell me I can do, I’m going to go for it. I’m going to following the plan and be ready when it’s time to go.”
Allen, who played his collegiate football at Purdue, was originally selected by the Falcons in the fifth round (147th pick overall) of the 2014 NFL Draft.
He became a full-time starter for Atlanta in 2015, registering 68 tackles, a sack, three interceptions, a fumble recovery and five passes defended. Since then, Allen has been a regular in the Falcons' secondary, so he can't wait to get back on the field:
“I’m ready to be back,” Allen said. “It’s been a long time coming. I have a lot of football built up in me.”
The 27-year-old added that he is feeling good and can actually do a lot of things, but he isn't sure when he will actually be able to let loose:
“I can do really everything,” Allen said. “I’m functioning. I can run and cut. I can really do all of it, but I don’t really know the whole process. They are going to tell me whatever they want for me, and I’m going to try to follow that plan to the best of my ability.”
The Falcons won just seven games in 2018.
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