After missing about a week of practice, Jonnu Smith returned to the Falcons’ training camp on Tuesday.
The veteran tight end missed time with an unspecified injury; however, he revealed why he hasn’t practiced since August 1 to D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
“I didn’t have an injury,” Smith said via D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “Just some things I have to continue to maintain on my body. But I’m feeling good. I’m working myself back in. I’m just continuing to make more strides every day. Year 7 now and I feel great and I want to keep it that way. We just have to go about it in different ways.”
The Falcons acquired Smith for a measly seventh-round pick because he came with much of the lucrative contract he signed with New England a couple of years ago. However, to the surprise of many, Smith reworked his deal to make it more team-friendly.
He gives the Falcons tight end room some talented depth behind Kyle Pitts, who suffered a season-ending knee injury last year. Smith will assume a supplemental role and be featured similarly as he was in Tennessee under Arthur Smith.
In 2019, Jonnu Smith hauled in 35 passes for 439 yards and three scores, which were all career highs. Then, he followed it up with an even better campaign in 2020, where he recorded 41 receptions for 448 yards and eight touchdowns, adding another on the ground — all career highs.
Jonnu Smith was heralded for his run after the catch ability with the Titans. Most of his highlights are short to intermediate routes over the middle being extended into chunk plays. He’s dangerous with the ball in his hands, and Arthur Smith found various ways to get it to him in 2019 and 2020 — including out of the backfield. Expect him to line up all over the field in 2023.
It’s good to see him back on the field with the rest of his teammates.
—
Photographer: David John Griffin/Icon Sportswire
You must log in to post a comment.