The Atlanta Falcons are taking a cautious approach with two of their 2026 draft picks, as head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed Friday that rookie defensive tackle Anterio Thompson and cornerback Avieon Terrell will be held out of on-field activities during this weekend's rookie minicamp due to injuries.

While both players will remain fully engaged in team meetings and sideline activities, the Falcons are prioritizing recovery over rushing them onto the practice field. Reports indicate Terrell is nursing a hamstring injury, while the specifics of Thompson's ailment have not yet been disclosed.

Terrell, a second-round selection and Atlanta native, arrives with high expectations after a standout 2025 campaign at Clemson. The First-Team All-ACC defensive back posted 58 tackles, two interceptions, and multiple pass breakups last season, routinely drawing the assignment of shadowing opposing teams' top receivers. His combination of coverage skills and athleticism made him a priority target for the Falcons in the draft.

Thompson, taken in the sixth round out of Washington, brings a different kind of promise. The Huskies' interior disruptor recorded 32 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and three sacks in his final collegiate season, establishing himself as a force in the trenches. Atlanta sees him as a developmental piece who could eventually bolster the defensive line rotation.

Though the injuries will temporarily slow their on-field progress, the Falcons remain confident in both players' long-term trajectories. Rookie minicamp is ultimately about acclimation, and the team believes Thompson and Terrell can absorb the playbook and build chemistry with teammates even while recovering. Patience now could pay off big later.