Desmond Trufant Injury: Updates on Falcons CB's Hip and Return

Atlanta Falcons cornerback Desmond Trufant suffered an injury during practice on Aug. 5, per D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, but he is ready to return to the field for game action.

Continue for updates.

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Trufant Active vs. Browns

Thursday, Aug. 18

Trufant is available to play on Thursday against Cleveland, according to Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal. 

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Latest on Trufant's Practice Status

Sunday, Aug. 7

ESPN.com's Vaughn McClure noted that Trufant returned to practice on Sunday.

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Falcons Need Trufant Healthy for Playoff Push

Trufant is arguably the best player on Atlanta’s defense, and it's difficult to overstate how devastating a long-term injury to the cornerback would have been for the secondary.

The team frequently asks Trufant to shadow the opponent’s best playmaker. He boasts speed to go with a 6’0" frame, enabling him to keep up with some of the talented receivers in the NFC South, such as Brandin Cooks and Mike Evans.

Trufant notched six interceptions and 44 passes defended in his first three years in the league. The 2015 Pro Bowler is only 25 years old and should still be in his prime this season.

The Falcons need their top cornerback on the field to remain healthy if they hope to compete for a playoff spot in 2016.