Jalen Collins’ time is now for Atlanta Falcons

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — It’s time for Jalen Collins to show the Atlanta Falcons if he can play.

Starting left cornerback Desmond Trufant suffered a shoulder/pectoral injury and reportedly is “day to day” according to Falcons coach Dan Quinn.

It’s usually not a good sign about an injury when a team and player seek a second-opinion on an injury. It’s reasonable to conclude that they didn’t like the first opinion.

However, the Falcons insist that Trufant, the team’s top cover man, is “day to day.”

Collins came in for Trufant during the Tampa Bay game.

“It’s not about me,” said Collins, an under-achieving second-round pick from 2015. “It’s about the team. Whatever the coaches decide, whatever way I can help, that’s what I’m going to do.”

Collins played 49 of 80 defensive snaps (61 percent) against the Bucs. He had two tackles and one pass breakup.

“I thought Jalen did a good job,” Quinn said. “I know that he had a challenge on one that was over to the sideline that he’d like to have back. I thought it was a real physical tackle at the goal line which I was very glad to see. He looked fast. He played with good length outside.”

Collins, who served a four-game suspension for using performance-enhancing drugs to start the season, didn’t look out of place.

“He did exactly (want we wanted) in terms of the style of play,” Quinn said. “He did a good job going in. We thought he’d have a chance and he’s stepping up just like we’d expected him to.”

Collins was in the group of six players that Quinn was counting on to elevate their games in 2016.

Quinn wanted the group to elevate from being role players to becoming major contributors, but Collins was suspended.

In addition to Collins, the group included defensive end/linebacker Vic Beasley, running back Tevin Coleman, defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, wide receiver Justin Hardy and free safety Robenson Therezie.

Beasley, Coleman and Jarrett have come through over the first nine games. Hardy and Therezie remain role players.

Collins played in all 16 games and made two starts as a rookie. He started two games and finished with 12 tackles and five special-teams tackles.

Collins had offseason foot surgery in 2015 and missed most of the training sessions. He struggled at times in coverage. Before the suspension, Collins was expected to compete for the starting right cornerback spot.

“A year ago, we got him right off the injury,” Falcons secondary coach Marquand Manuel said. “(Darryl Simon) in Seattle had same injury. When you come back, you’re not prepared to come back. You’re not in shape. They don’t really want you to do anything on the foot.

“I’m not giving him any excuses, but he looks like a totally different guy. … He’s been sound in technique. He’s in shape. He has the ability to stop at the top of the route. His change of direction is awesome and he’s doing what he was brought here to do; be a long guy that can stay on top and run with big receivers.”

Trufant, 26, has not missed a game since the Falcons selected him in the first round of the 2013 draft out of the University of Washington. He’s their top cover man and was named to his first Pro Bowl team in 2015.