South Atlanta News

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — When Grady Jarrett tore his ACL last October, he quickly calculated when he could return and set July as his target. As Atlanta conducted its first training camp practice, he achieved that goal.

"I feel strong as I've ever been," Jarrett said. "I've always been super strong, that's how I'm able to do the job that I'm able to do at my size, position – stuff like that. But, I mean, I feel strong, explosive."

Jarrett reported no physical limitations and plans to increase his activity level as the Falcons progress through their acclimation period. This began with a jog-through practice on Thursday and will advance to padded, full-contact practices next week.

Wearing a knee brace for added support during practice was a precautionary measure for Jarrett. After removing it before speaking with the media, it left an outline around his newly-healed knee but did not affect him mentally. Competing again felt natural to him.

"(It's) definitely just the next step in where I'm at in my journey back to 100," Jarrett said. "... I'm excited to just be on the field. Whatever it gotta take for how to wear a brace, whenever I've had to wear one, I'm going to do it if I can play on the field."

Despite his injury hiatus, returning felt routine for Jarrett. He missed simple aspects of preparation such as taping his fingers and wrists.

"My routine to tape my fingers, wrists, ankles; I've missed that. I definitely missed that," Jarrett said. "Just being able to go out there, put my jersey on with the guys. It was definitely an exciting feeling."

His teammates and coaches shared this excitement.

"Grady lights up everything that he does," Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said. "Whether it's the meeting room, whether it's practice, whether it's a gameday situation — Grady is Atlanta. He embodies everything that we're about."

This admiration from his head coach motivates Jarrett further.

That energy was evident on Day 1 when Jarrett executed a screen play move without issue using his rehabbed right knee.

"I can't control that instinct in me. If the ball's over there, I've gotta run over and get it," Jarrett said. "Just to feel it, get back to it, not even thinking about the leg; I mean, that felt good."

Although tackling was not part of this non-contact practice session, Jarrett joked about feeling confident enough to complete plays effectively.

In springtime conditioning drills involving full-speed sprints and pass-rush exercises without concern for his leg confirmed he was on track.

"I'm starting training camp like I would any other year so it's definitely a good sign," Jarrett said. "I wouldn't say (it's) a sigh of relief because the work's just starting. Just putting myself in position to be able to put the work in necessary to have a dominant season. That's what I wanted to do and that's what I've done."