NFL fans offer support as leg injury forces Jeff Okudah off the practice field after joining the Falcons from Lions

Even promising NFL players may sometimes fail to reach the desired team goal despite being fully fit owing to several factors. However, an injury to a player might take him out of play altogether.

Jeff Okudah, the third overall pick of the Detroit Lions in the 2020 NFL Draft, cemented his reputation as a reliable corner in just three seasons. The New Orleans Saints, however, are skeptical about utilizing him in the upcoming seasons owing to a leg injury.

Falcons CB Jeff Okudah leave practice field with a leg injury

In an effort to strengthen their roster, the Falcons acquired Okudah from the Detroit Lions this summer in exchange for a fifth-round selection pick. He then became a member of the cornerback group along with Cornell Armstrong, Clark Phillips, Dee Alford, and Mike Hughes.

The starting defensive back had to be carted off the practice field during Friday’s training camp. During a one-on-one practice session versus Frank Darby, the 24-year-old sustained an injury. Later, the teams’ coach Arthur Smith said the cornerback would require an MRI to determine the extent of the injury.

Bad news: #Falcons CB Jeff Okudah carted off practice field with a leg injury.

The former 3rd overall pick was traded from the #Lions this offseason to the Falcons

(📷 @evzntv) pic.twitter.com/QO0KUjgDhP

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) August 4, 2023

The coach expressed optimism following the camp regarding the cornerback’s return and expressed hope that positive results from the MRI would be forthcoming. He disclosed that Ethan Greenidge also experienced a minor incidental bump, but he will, unfortunately, need surgery.

“We’ll have more once he gets done with an MRI,” Smith said. “Hopefully, it’s optimistic and he’ll be back out there, but that’s kind of where we’re at. I hate to be that vague. It isn’t the time to be vague for competitive edge or whatever.”

NFL community sends prayers to Jeff Okudah after horrific injury at the practice field

Jeff was expected to play a crucial role in the Atlanta team’s attempt to increase their cornerback depth this summer, but his injury seems to have taken away a lot of steam from the lineup. Fans have already begun to voice their hopes for Okudah’s recovery. One of them remarked, “God please let him be ok”.

God please let him be ok https://t.co/PlyaxpIx0y

— ATL Will (@ATLWill_) August 4, 2023

The former Lions player had 73 tackles and seven passes in 15 games as a starter for the team, but he sadly missed most of 2020 and 2021 due to injury. Fans have therefore started to wonder whether the injury will keep him out for the remainder of the year.

“Please don’t let it be season ending” one fan commented.