Falcons TE Jonnu Smith 'Didn't Have an Injury' - Explains Absence
The Atlanta Falcons are inching closer to full health for the season.
Newly-acquired tight end Jonnu Smith, who the Falcons acquired in a trade from the New England Patriots this offseason, is returning to the practice field after a brief absence.
Many believed Smith's time away from the field was due to injury, but he explained how that wasn't the case.
“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.”
Tight ends have longer shelf life in the NFL compared to most positions. Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce looks like one of the best at his position in the league going into his 11th NFL season. Meanwhile, Marcedes Lewis just signed a one-year deal with the Chicago Bears for his 18th NFL campaign.
Smith isn't quite there in Year 7, but he has potential to be very durable for the Falcons. He adds a layer of depth as a backup for Kyle Pitts, who dealt with injuries throughout most of the 2022 season.
If Smith's routine of durability can rub off Pitts and the pair can provide a decent amount of value to the Falcons, Atlanta could break its six-year playoff drought.
You can follow Jeremy Brener on Twitter @JeremyBrener.
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