A former Clemson standout has been placed on injured reserve, sidelining him for a minimum of four games.

Atlanta Falcons star cornerback A.J. Terrell was placed on IR this week, due to a groin injury he suffered during a Week 2 loss to the Carolina Panthers.

Terrell sustained the groin injury during the first quarter of the Falcons’ 34–3 loss to the Panthers last Sunday after previously dealing with a shoulder issue in Week 1 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Being placed on injured reserve means he must sit out at least four games, so he is eligible to return as early as Week 7 against the San Francisco 49ers (Oct. 25).

A.J.’s younger brother — second-round rookie cornerback Avieon Terrell – has been starting at nickel and could potentially see an expanded role or increased outside snaps as a result of A.J.’s injury.

The elder Terrell has become a fixture on the back end of Atlanta’s defense since being selected by the franchise in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He is now in his seventh season with the Falcons after being taken with the 16th overall pick in 2020.

A 2021 All-Pro, Terrell has recorded six interceptions, as well as 62 passes defended, six forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and 387 total tackles across 95 games (all starts) in his NFL career so far.

Before the 2024 season, he and the Falcons agreed on a four-year, $81 million contract extension, which will keep the 28-year-old under contract with Atlanta through the 2028 season.

A two-time All-ACC selection, he concluded his three-year Clemson career (2017-19) with 107 tackles (3.5 for loss), 20 pass breakups, six interceptions and two forced fumbles in 44 games (30 starts). He helped Clemson to a 29-1 record in two years as a starter and started all 15 games in his first year as a starter in 2018, scoring the first points of the College Football Playoff National Championship on a pick-six.