The Sports Xchange

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Outside linebacker Vic Beasley, the Atlanta Falcons’ first-round draft pick this year, sat out most team drills Tuesday because of a strained shoulder.

With a rash of rookie injuries around the NFL during organized team activities, the move made sense because the eighth overall pick in the draft remains unsigned.

Beasley appeared fine while moving through the individual drills. When the action picked up on the 11-on-11 situational scrimmages, he was on the sideline.

He wasn’t too concerned about his injury. It is not known how or when he suffered the strained shoulder.

“It’s going good,” said Beasley, the team’s only unsigned rookie draft pick. “I’m not worried about that. It’s all about football and being just the best that I can be and help out the team. The contract should be done here pretty soon.”

The Falcons have high hopes for Beasley, who had 33 sacks at Clemson.

“He’s got an opportunity to be real special,” defensive coordinator Richard Smith said. “He’s been limited a little bit to just individual drills.”

Beasley, who’s from Adairsville, has still been able to impress his new coaches.

“I like his attitude, his quickness and his ability to rush the passer,” Smith said. “Overall, he’s competing for a position just like everybody else.”

Defensive line coach Bryan Cox concurs with the notion that Beasley is a work in progress.

“You saw all of the stuff that he did in college,” Cox said. “A good first step, quickness and good closing speed. His strength is definitely in the pass-rush aspect of it. He’s coming along.”

Cox wants to see what Beasley and some of the other players can do in pads.

“The biggest thing is that we have a smart class of young players,” Cox said. “You can’t tell who’s going to be what until you put the pads on. For me, that’s what separates the men from the boys. Really, right now we are in gym class.”

–The Falcons welcomed several veterans and second-round cornerback Jalen Collins back from injury during their open OTA non-contact practice on Tuesday.

Safety William Moore (shoulder), linebacker Brooks Reed (hamstring), center/guard Joe Hawley (knee), tackle Jake Matthews (foot) and guard/center Peter Konz (knee) all took part in the practice.

Linebacker Marquis Spruill, who is coming back from knee surgery, did not practice. Guard/tackle Sam Baker (knee), right guard Jon Asamoah (ankle) and cornerback Dezmen Southward (knee) were not at practice.