Bears vs Falcons Injury Report: Atlanta’s A.J. Terrell going on the reserve COVID list

UPDATE: On Saturday afternoon, the Falcons announced that starting cornerback A.J. Terrell, their rookie first-round draft pick, would be placed on the league’s reserve COVID list and will miss the game on Sunday against the Bears.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the test results came in today, and that Terrell did practice on Friday, but did not attend the team’s walk through today. The team immediately checked his contact tracing to see who else he may have been in contact with.

The NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero explained the protocol like this.

All NFL players and other Tier 1/2 individuals wear tracking devices all day in the facility, so contact tracing is a relatively easy process. If no one was within 6 feet for 15+ straight minutes, tests positive or shows symptoms, no impact on anyone else’s status for game day.

Everyone that was in contact with Terrell will be tested and once those results are known we’ll know if more players will be held out of the game.

Chicago vs Atlanta Game Day Injury Report

While most NFL teams have suffered from an early spate of injuries, the Chicago Bears have been relatively healthy. Nose tackle John Jenkins went on injured reserve yesterday, and in today’s final injury report before Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons there are only two players listed, and both are expected to be able to go in Atlanta.

Outside linebacker Khalil Mack has been limited at practice all season, and he’s been questionable each week, but whatever has been bothering his knee hasn’t stopped him from playing.

The other questionable player is defensive lineman Mario Edwards Jr. (glute), but he was a full participant all week.

Falcon head coach Dan Quinn has already announced that starting safety Ricardo Allen and reserve defensive back Kendall Sheffield are both ruled out and will not play.

Pro Bowl wide receiver Julio Jones (hamstring), who has not practiced all week, will be a game time decision after receiving the questionable designation.

Other questionable Falcons are starting linebacker Foyesade Oluokun (hamstring), starting defensive ends Dante Fowler Jr. (ankle) and Takkarist McKinley (groin), starting right tackle Kaleb McGary (knee), and back up tight end Luke Stocker (hip). McKinley was the only one of this group that wasn’t limited at today’s practice as Atlanta held him out completely all week.

UPDATE: With Terrell out on Sunday, that makes it 7 Falcon starters listed as either out or questionable for the game.