Falcons Place AJ Terrell on IR

Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell Jr. was placed on injured reserve Tuesday with a groin injury, locking him out for at least the next four games after he left Sunday's loss to the Carolina Panthers in the first quarter. The Falcons cleared him of a concussion scare, then ruled him out for the rest of the afternoon once the groin problem took over. IR is the formal stamp. Thursday night in Green Bay is already gone, and the earliest return window sits around Week 7 under the four-game minimum.

C.J. Henderson finished Sunday opposite Mike Hughes and is the clear next man up while Terrell rehabs. Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich called Terrell the best boundary corner in the NFL and still said he does not feel angst trusting Henderson, per the team's official report. That is coach-speak for keep the standard high and keep the depth chart moving. Younger brother Avieon Terrell also has inside-outside flexibility if Atlanta wants to shuffle the nickel.

Atlanta used the roster spot to sign defensive lineman Zach Harrison from the practice squad. The 0-2 Falcons already face a short week and a Packers trip without their $81 million corner. Terrell had been managing a shoulder issue into Week 2, then the groin ended his night early. Stack those problems and the IR move stops looking optional. It looks like the medical staff protecting a longer season for a player who cannot half-run a Thursday Night Football assignment.

Pelissero and the official site lined up on the same transaction Tuesday afternoon, so this is not a soft designation leak. It is a roster move with a corresponding practice-squad elevation. That clarity helps fans planning the Packers short week: Terrell is unavailable, Henderson is the boundary answer, and Atlanta will not scramble a surprise activation before Lambeau.

Soft fantasy note only: IDP managers who leaned on Terrell should park him for the four-game floor and watch Henderson's snap share against Green Bay. Do not invent a Week 7 lock from the minimum alone. IR minimums are floors, not calendars.

Fans tracking the secondary for TNF should treat Terrell as unavailable and grade Henderson on the boundary. The Falcons need stops more than nostalgia for No. 24's press technique this week.

IR board

Groin. Injured reserve. At least four games. Week 7 is the earliest paper return.

Henderson starts the Terrell reps. Harrison comes up from the practice squad.

Fan closer

Mark Terrell out through the Packers and the next three after. Reopen the board only when he practices clean again.