Falcons Navigate Secondary Challenges Without A.J. Terrell Against Panthers

The Atlanta Falcons will be without their top cornerback A.J. Terrell for their upcoming game against the Carolina Panthers due to a hamstring injury sustained in their recent win against the Minnesota Vikings. Terrell, who had signed a four-year, $81 million contract extension last year, has been a key defensive player, allowing minimal receptions against top wide receivers this season. In his absence, Dee Alford is expected to start, having already filled in last game and performed well, though head coach Raheem Morris has indicated that the team's approach to filling Terrell's role remains flexible. The Falcons' defense will lean on its improved pass rush and rely on other cornerbacks like veteran Mike Hughes and promising rookies Billy Bowman and Xavier Watts, though Hughes has shown vulnerabilities against top-tier receivers. The team's injury report also includes several other players with limited or no practice, highlighting ongoing concerns about depth. Overall, the Falcons face a challenging secondary situation without Terrell, but hope to mitigate the impact through strategic adjustments and contributions from other defensive players.