Falcons place cornerback A.J. Terrell on IR with groin injury

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsFLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- The Atlanta Falcons placed star cornerback A.J. Terrell on injured reserve Tuesday with a groin injury, the team announced.Terrell came out of last Sunday's loss to the Carolina Panthers with that injury and did not return. He did not practice Monday. The Falcons play on the road against the Green Bay Packers on Thursday Night Football this week.Terrell was actually removed from the Falcons' Week 1 game with a shoulder injury and was limited last week in practice.After going on IR, Terrell must miss at least the next four weeks of games and would not be eligible to return until Week 7. The Falcons have not given a timetable as to how long they expect him to be out.Terrell, 27, was a second-team All-Pro selection in 2021. Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich said Tuesday that he believes Terrell is the best boundary corner in the NFL.Terrell, who signed a four-year, $81 million contract extension in 2024, is expected to be replaced in the starting lineup by C.J. Henderson and Ulbrich said he has no "angst" when he puts the former first-round pick into the lineup.Terrell, who grew up in Atlanta, was drafted by the Falcons at No. 16 overall in 2020. Atlanta drafted Terrell's brother, Avieon, also a cornerback, in the second round in 2026. Avieon has been starting at nickel corner.The Falcons signed defensive lineman Zach Harrison to the active roster from the practice squad to replace Terrell.