Falcons Place CB A.J. Terrell on Injured Reserve Before Packers Game

Atlanta's top cornerback will miss at least four games with a groin injury, beginning with Thursday night's road trip to Green Bay.

The Atlanta Falcons placed cornerback A.J. Terrell on injured reserve Tuesday, ruling him out for at least four games. Terrell hurt his groin in Sunday's loss to the Carolina Panthers and could not return to that game.

After missing Monday's practice, the veteran cornerback was moved to IR ahead of Thursday night's road matchup with the Green Bay Packers. The designation means Week 7 is the earliest he could be back on the field. The Falcons have not given a timetable beyond the required absence.

It continues a rough stretch for Terrell, who also left Atlanta's Week 1 game with a shoulder injury and was limited in practices before facing Carolina. Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich called him the NFL's top boundary cornerback on Tuesday.

C.J. Henderson, a former first-round pick, is expected to take over the starting role. Ulbrich said he has no concerns about inserting Henderson into the lineup. A.J.'s younger brother, rookie second-round pick Avieon Terrell, has been playing nickel cornerback for Atlanta.

To fill the roster spot, the Falcons promoted defensive lineman Zach Harrison from the practice squad. Atlanta selected A.J. Terrell 16th overall in the 2020 draft out of the local area, and he earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2021 before signing a four-year, $81 million extension in 2024.