Falcons Place CB AJ Terrell On IR

Now in his seventh year, Terrell had never missed more than three games in a season entering 2026. That streak will snap this year, though, after groin and head injuries limited Terrell to six snaps in a 34-3 blowout loss to the NFC South rival Panthers in Week 2. Thanks in part to Terrell’s absence, Panthers quarterback Bryce Young lit up the Falcons during a 23-of-36, 287-yard, three-touchdown performance.

While Terrell avoided a concussion, the groin issue is severe enough to keep him out until at least late October. Set to welcome back QB Michael Penix Jr. from a 10-month absence, the Falcons will face nothing but potential playoff contenders – the Packers, Saints, Ravens and Bears – over the next four weeks. C.J. Henderson, who took over for Terrell and played 60 snaps in Week 2, will likely start opposite Mike Hughes. AJ’s brother, second-round rookie Avieon Terrell, has been the Falcons’ main slot corner.

Henderson (ninth overall) went seven picks before AJ Terrell (No. 16) in the first round of the 2020 draft, but the latter has turned into the much better pro. A former Jaguar and Panther, Henderson has started in 34 of 55 games and totaled 21 pass breakups and four interceptions. While spending most of 2025 on the Falcons’ practice squad, Henderson got into four games, made two starts and picked off one pass. He earned a spot on the Falcons’ 53-man roster coming out of camp this summer. Although it’s a small sample of just 65 snaps, Henderson is Pro Football Focus’ 34th-ranked corner out of 96 qualifiers two weeks into the season.

Harrison was a full-time starter for Atlanta in 2025, but a knee injury held him to seven games. He finished the year with five tackles for loss, five QB hits and 4.5 sacks, but Harrison did not survive roster cuts on Aug. 30. The Falcons quickly brought him back on their practice squad, and they elevated him to face the Panthers. Harrison played 31 snaps (25 on defense, six on special teams) and made two tackles.

Along with signing Harrison to their roster, the Falcons are working to add corner Robert Longerbeam from the Eagles’ practice squad, per Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. Longerbeam will provide more depth in the wake of Terrell’s injury, though he has yet to appear in a regular-season game. The Ravens, who chose Longerbeam in the sixth round of the 2025 draft, cut him in August. He was with the Eagles for three weeks.