Falcons Activate $81 Million Corner AJ Terrell Just in Time for 49ers Matchup

The Atlanta Falcons are finally getting their $81 million man back on the field, which is great news for a roster that currently looks like a medical tent at a music festival.

According to ESPN's Marc Raimondi, star cornerback AJ Terrell has been officially activated from injured reserve. He carries no injury designation and is fully cleared to play Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers.

"Marc Raimondi reported that Terrell carries no game injury designation and is expected to play tomorrow against the 49ers."

Terrell has been nursing a groin pull since Week 2, forcing him to miss the last four games. Getting your lockdown corner back is massive, especially when he just inked a four-year, $81 million extension. For context, that is roughly $20 million per game he actually gets to play this month.

To make room for Terrell, Atlanta shoved rookie offensive tackle Michael Jerrell onto IR with a biceps injury. They also signed defensive end Drake Jackson to the active roster. Jackson is a former 49ers second-round pick who just spent the last month wandering the NFL wilderness after the Washington Commanders cut him with an injury settlement, so we are officially on revenge-game watch.

If you are looking at the spread for this 49ers matchup, Terrell's return is the only thing keeping the Falcons' secondary from turning into a track meet. But it is not all good news in the Terrell household, as AJ's younger brother, rookie corner Avieon Terrell, is questionable for Sunday with an illness.

Throw in standard practice squad elevations for linebacker Brian Asamoah II and running back Khalil Herbert, plus receiver Beaux Collins and tackle Cameron Williams being downgraded to out, and Atlanta is basically holding open tryouts in the parking lot. We will see if the highly paid corner can single-handedly fix a defense that just gave up 31 points to the Chicago Bears last week.