Falcons’ safety Ricardo Allen has ‘come a long way’ in recovery from torn Achilles

Ricardo Allen can remember when the most basic physical activity was impossible.

“Not being able to get up and just walk whenever I want to and just go use the restroom,” the Atlanta Falcons’ safety told Alex Marvez and Gil Brandt on Late Hits of his recovery from the torn Achilles that sidelined him for 13 games last season. “Small things like that to being where I am now – being able to run, being able to do all my movements, being able to get out and do all my normal stuff and feel like myself again. It’s come a long way.”

‘It’s been a slow process’

Allen, who was injured in a game against New Orleans, is on schedule to be ready for training camp. But there were times when he wondered if he would ever even reach the point where he’d be able to run outdoors, which he did for the first time in late March.

“Once we see each other working as hard as we’re doing and progressing the way we are, it makes us feel good that we’re partners and we’re going to be back out there together.”

“It’s been a slow process,” Allen said. “It’s been a day-by-day process. But, man, I’ve been enjoying it because I know (the injury’s) not going to be here for much longer.”

‘It’s a full-blown mission to come in as serious as we can be to focus on the one task of getting back’

He hasn’t had to go through it alone. Allen has found it helpful to be at the Falcons’ facility with fellow safety Keanu Neal, who is recovering from a torn ACL he suffered in last year’s season-opener against Philadelphia.

“I’ll bet he probably feels the same about me, because we can both see that every day we come in there,” Allen said. “It’s a full-blown mission to come in as serious as we can be to focus on the one task of getting back on the field and being better once we get back out there. So, once we see each other working as hard as we’re doing and progressing the way we are, it makes us feel good that we’re partners and we’re going to be back out there together.”

‘We know who we are, we know what team we have’

He’s optimistic about the Falcons bouncing back from last year’s 7-9 finish once he and Neal are back to full strength, along with running back Devonta Freeman, who missed most of last season with a groin injury.

“I think when we just get back to full strength, we just do what we do,” Allen said. “We know who we are, we know what team we have. We have a lot of the same players and we know what we can do.”