It's not an exact date, but for the notoriously secretive Atlanta Falcons, Corey Peters being close to returning is encouraging. 

You may remember that Peters was injured in a practice before the Jaguars game. You may recall that while the team emphatically said he would not require surgery, they also did not announce that he would be running back on to a Georgia Dome field near you before the season began. Speculation ensued. 

According to D. Orlando Ledbetter's terse injury report, Peters is close. That means he hasn't been officially ruled out for the Chicago Bears game, though we won't know until later in the week how likely he is to actually see game action in Week 1. 

The Falcons thankfully have the depth to survive a game or two without Peters, if that close is hedging by the Falcons. Jonathan Babineaux and Peria Jerry are starting-caliber--to put it mildly, in the case of Babs--and Vance Walker is a proven backup.

Carlton Powell has shown us some flashes of ability in his limited pre-season action, but he remains the true unknown. Still, if he's even competent, the Falcons are set to do just fine against the Bears' middling offensive line. Frankly, I'm more worried about the edges of our offensive line versus Julius Peppers. 

Yet having Peters back will make a difference. Despite what you may have read from a handful of writers who draw their inspiration from the same place that monkeys get their fastballs, Peters was above-average against the runand better-than-advertised against the pass. The Falcons will definitely be glad to see him back in action. 

So fret not, everyone. Peters will be back and a big part of the rotation...soon. 

Oh! And many, many thanks to my co-bloggers, especially the invincible Caleb Rutherford, for holding it down in my absence. Let's get ready for the season, boys and girls.