Brooks Reed Injury: Updates on Falcons LB's Recovery from Groin Surgery

Atlanta Falcons linebacker Brooks Reed has dealt with groin injuries throughout his NFL career, and the team's free-agent signing had been on the sideline for the first three games of the season after going under the knife.

Thankfully for Falcons fans, the team announced that Reed is active for Week 4 against the Houston Texans.

Head coach Dan Quinn told reporters on Sept. 30 that Reed returned to practice and could play against the Houston Texans.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported on Sept. 3 that Reed underwent surgery to repair a nagging groin injury and would be out for six weeks. The Falcons confirmed the news, noting that the linebacker could miss an extended period of time.

"We certainly are concerned," Quinn told reporters on Sept. 1, according to ESPN's Vaughn McClure. "So we're just trying to get it right in terms of him getting the strength back to feel like it's just in the right spot. ... He's got such a toughness and edge-setting pressure. We're just trying to get him where he's feeling at his best."

According to Spotrac, the Falcons signed Reed to a five-year, $22 million deal with $9 million guaranteed over the offseason after the linebacker established himself as one of the league's better run-stuffers at outside linebacker.

Last season, Reed ranked 21st among all 3-4 outside linebackers in run defense, according to Pro Football Focus. He's also tallied 14.5 sacks over the course of his four-year career.

However, Reed is all too familiar with groin injuries. Back in 2012, the former second-round pick appeared in just 12 games as he battled an injury that didn't require surgery.