The Atlanta Falcons announced Monday morning that cornerback Darqueze Dennard has been designated to return from injured reserve.
By designating Dennard to return, the Falcons have begun the 21-day window in which they must activate him to the active roster. During that period, however, Dennard is free to return to practice and work with the rest of his teammates.
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Dennard landed on IR after sustaining a hamstring injury late in the Falcons' loss to the Chicago Bears in Week 3. Prior to the injury, Dennard was playing his best game since joining Atlanta as a free agent signing this offseason.
On Friday, following Atlanta's 25-17 win against the Carolina Panthers, interim head coach Raheem Morris said Dennard was "getting close" to making his return. With Monday's news, he is now one step further along that path.
When Dennard does rejoin the active roster, he will provide a shot in the arm for a Falcons secondary that has taken its lumps this season. Rookie A.J. Terrell continues to show improvement, however, and veteran Blidi Wreh-Wilson secured the game-winning interception against the Panthers, so perhaps the unit is beginning to find its stride, something Dennard should only help it do.
Cornerback Darqueze Dennard has been designated to return from injured reserve. Dennard is free to return to practice and work with the rest of his teammates. Take a look at the best images from practice in this gallery, presented by Quikrete.
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Darqueze Dennard #34 looks on during practice at IBM Performance Field. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Darqueze Dennard #34 in action during practice at IBM Performance Field. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Darqueze Dennard #34 in action during practice at IBM Performance Field. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Darqueze Dennard #34 looks on during practice at IBM Performance Field. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Darqueze Dennard #34 in action during practice at IBM Performance Field. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones #11 in action during practice at IBM Performance Field. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris talks to quarterback Matt Ryan #2 during practice at IBM Performance Field. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Blidi Wreh-Wilson #33 in action during practice at IBM Performance Field. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Laquon Treadwell #80 warms up during practice at IBM Performance Field. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Blidi Wreh-Wilson #33 in action during practice at IBM Performance Field. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones #11 looks on during practice at IBM Performance Field. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Blidi Wreh-Wilson #33 in action during practice at IBM Performance Field. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Delrick Abrams #42 in action during practice at IBM Performance Field. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Isaiah Oliver #26 in action during practice at IBM Performance Field. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Atlanta Falcons)
Coach Joe Whitt, Jr. works during practice at IBM Performance Field. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Atlanta Falcons)
Coach Joe Whitt, Jr. works during practice at IBM Performance Field. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Blidi Wreh-Wilson #33 in action during practice at IBM Performance Field. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive back T.J. Green #39 in action during practice at IBM Performance Field. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Atlanta Falcons)
Coach Joe Whitt, Jr. works during practice at IBM Performance Field. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 looks on during practice at IBM Performance Field. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Isaiah Oliver #26 in action during practice at IBM Performance Field. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris talks to wide receiver Julio Jones #11 during practice at IBM Performance Field. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Delrick Abrams #42 in action during practice at IBM Performance Field. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Jordan Miller #28 in action during practice at IBM Performance Field. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Blidi Wreh-Wilson #33 during practice at IBM Performance Field. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Delrick Abrams #42 in action during practice at IBM Performance Field. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Delrick Abrams #42 in action during practice at IBM Performance Field. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Jordan Miller #28 stretches during practice at IBM Performance Field. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Darqueze Dennard #34 in action during practice at IBM Performance Field. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Isaiah Oliver #26 in action during practice at IBM Performance Field. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Isaiah Oliver #26 in action during practice at IBM Performance Field. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Darqueze Dennard #34 in action during practice at IBM Performance Field. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Jordan Miller #28 in action during practice at IBM Performance Field. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Atlanta Falcons)
The offensive line at work during practice at IBM Performance Field. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Darqueze Dennard #34 in action during practice at IBM Performance Field. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Delrick Abrams #42 in action during practice at IBM Performance Field. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Darqueze Dennard #34 in action during practice at IBM Performance Field. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons center Matt Hennessy #61 works with offensive guard James Carpenter #77 during practice at IBM Performance Field. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Jordan Miller #28 stretches during practice at IBM Performance Field. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Blidi Wreh-Wilson #33 in action during practice at IBM Performance Field. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Atlanta Falcons)
Coach Joe Whitt, Jr. works during practice at IBM Performance Field. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Laquon Treadwell #80 warms up during practice at IBM Performance Field. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Blidi Wreh-Wilson #33 works with defensive back Delrick Abrams #42 during practice at IBM Performance Field. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Chris Rowland #14 looks on during practice at IBM Performance Field. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons free safety Ricardo Allen #37 in action during practice at IBM Performance Field. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Isaiah Oliver #26 gestures with cornerback Blidi Wreh-Wilson #33 during practice at IBM Performance Field. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris talks to quarterback Matt Ryan #2 during practice at IBM Performance Field. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Brandon Powell #15 in action during practice at IBM Performance Field. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris talks to quarterback Matt Ryan #2 during practice at IBM Performance Field. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Atlanta Falcons)
