clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Falcons Training Camp 2015: William Moore, RaShede Hageman leave practice with injuries

William Moore and RaShede Hageman were injured during Tuesday's practice, and Devonta Freeman, Tevin Coleman and Brooks Reed progressed to full team work today.

By Jeanna.Kelley
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

it was cloudy, cooler and threatening rain in Flowery Branch today as the team took the field in pads for practice. Devonta Freeman, Tevin Coleman, Brooks Reed, Cliff Matthews and Devin Hester were all fully dressed and participated in full team work today, which was the next step in their respective rehab processes. Desmond Trufant and Antone Smith did not participate in practice.

William Moore left practice with a calf strain, and Dan Quinn did not have any specific details after practice on the severity of the injury. RaShede Hageman also left practice after suffering what Quinn described as a face and neck bruise. I don't think Hageman will miss much time.

Hall of Famer and nearly perpetual Pro Bowler Bruce Smith was at practice working with the defensive line for the second consecutive day, which is pretty exciting.

Offense

Both Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman looked fully healthy in full team drills. They're running well and don't look at all hesitant. Dan Quinn said after practice that their status for Friday's game is uncertain, and the team will continue to take it day by day.

Both Terron Ward and Jerome Smith also got some first team carries today. As the team eases Freeman and Coleman back from injury, Ward and Smith continue to take advantage of the opportunity to make an impression on the coaching staff.

The run blocking seemed a little better today, but as I've noted throughout camp, it's difficult to gauge the effectiveness of the offensive line in a practice context. This unit will face a stout front seven against the Jets on Friday, so it will be interesting to see how they perform.

Defense

Brooks Reed looked fine in full team work today. Reed has been limited throughout OTAs, minicamp and training camp with injuries, so it was nice to have him back on the field today.

Both Justin Durant and Allen Bradford stood out today in terms of aggression and the way they finish plays. Those are certainly traits you want to see in linebackers.

Robert Alford worked out of the nickel again today, and Kevin White, Phillip Adams and Jalen Collins all got first team reps outside.

Kemal Ishmael filled in for William Moore at strong safety after Moore left practice with a calf injury, and Ishmael is a good fit for this scheme. He'll be fine if pressed into action as a starter.

Fan Questions

Both Robenson Therezie and Jonathon Mincy have stood out at different times. Last week Therezie covered Jacob Tamme more effectively than I've seen anyone else manage during camp. Mincy has good instincts in coverage and adapts well to receivers.

Quinn says that the backup quarterback competition is still very much on between T.J. Yates and Sean Renfree. I wouldn't order the cake yet or anything.

Alex Welch. I just want to see how you guys react to this in our group thread.

I give Quinn's playlists the edge here, especially since he's incorporated so much Walk the Moon lately.

Run blocking did look a little better today, as I noted above, but I think we have to take that with a grain of salt in a practice context. I do think that having Freeman and Coleman back will help. Both Freeman and Coleman have vision and instincts that are superior to Ward and Jerome Smith, and that should make a difference.

Roddy looks fine. I think you're hearing less about him because he's been pretty reliable and looks good. As newcomers, Hankerson and Hardy are certainly the bigger story.

He's getting work outside and at DT, but I've been most impressed with him working from inside. He's really fast off the snap and brings a lot of interior pressure.

They have so much talent to choose from for the final 53 at WR. I'm going to assume they'll keep six because of that and because of Hester and Weems' value on special teams. I'd put them in this order: Julio Jones, Roddy White, Leonard Hankerson, Justin Hardy, Devin Hester, Eric Weems. I could see the team stashing Nick Williams and Bernard Reedy or Marquez Clark on practice squad.

I like what I've seen from both Robert Alford and Phillip Adams at nickel so far.

I don't think of bruises as serious injuries, usually. I don't think Hageman will miss much time. We'll have a better idea of the severity of his injury tomorrow. I do think Kevin White has a legitimate shot at the final 53-man roster.

I think he looks great. He's athletic enough to flourish in this scheme, and I think it helps that they've kept the starting five pretty consistent for the last few days so they can develop some chemistry. Also, he still has the best beard on the team.

Haha, you can feel free to ask as many questions as you want, @j_playz. My brother was a long snapper in college, and I ran this by him because I honestly wasn't sure, and he said there's probably someone on the team who was a long snapper in high school or college who could handle that responsibility short-term. He also told me I should ask Joe Hawley, James Stone and Peter Konz if they've ever had long snapping duties, because it's possible the team would have one of those guys fill in if necessary. The team would likely snag a free agent replacement pretty easily if Harris had to go on IR or miss extended time.

I'm not sure whether Alford will play nickel or outside, but I'd pencil in Phillip Adams to get plenty of snaps this season. Adams has looked good outside and in the nickel, and I'd be comfortable with him at either spot. I think Jalen Collins needs some more time to develop.

He looked fine. Reed probably needs a few days to shake off the rust, but I didn't think he looked bad, especially for his first day back in full team work.

I don't drink any of it, but I call it soda.

We'll have a better idea of the severity of these injuries tomorrow. I'm not terribly concerned about Hageman long-term. I'm hopeful that Moore's injury is minor, but we'll keep you posted as we get more information. Please don't cry.

Vent about the injuries and share your thoughts on practice in the comments.

More From The Falcoholic