McKinley looking good after surgery

No. 1 draft pick couldn’t work out with team until end of school year.

Falcons defensive end Takkarist McKinley was one of the first players on the field for the opening practice of training camp Thursday.

He went off to the side, alone, and swung his left arm in a big looping motion. Then he swung his surgically repaired right shoulder and arm.

Everything felt good, and he nodded. He was ready to start his professional NFL career.

“I’m going as hard as possible,” said McKinley, whom the Falcons selected in the first round (26th overall) in the NFL draft. “That’s how I played with the shoulder for two years. Got to take it slow. Don’t want any setbacks.”

During the individual drills, McKinley was slamming both arms into the bags with great force. He looked every bit the tormentor of quarterbacks the Falcons were hoping to pick up.

“I do all the (individual drills),” McKinley said. “They’re keeping me out of teams.”

Falcons coach Dan Quinn liked what he saw of McKinley, who

couldn’t work out with the team over the offseason. Per NFL rules, McKinley was unavailable because UCLA is on the quarter system, and classes were still in session.

“He really put the work in over the summer,” Quinn said. “When you’re a little bit behind, and you don’t get to get here and do some of the skill work based on colleges that are on quarters, you don’t have some of the knowledge.

the summer, you can tell he applied himself.

“He put the work in from a rehab standpoint. He looks very strong. Just take it one step at a time.”

Defensive line coach Bryant Young used the FaceTime app on his iPhone to speak with McKinley and attempt to teach him the nuances of the defense during OTAs and minicamp.

McKinley had the surgery March 3.

“Met the doctor last week and met the coaches,” McKin- ley said. “They told me we’re going to take it slow, just slowly progressing. I went out there and did the best I can do.

“Whatever the coaches want me to do, I’ll do it. It felt good. It’s good to be back with the team, good to be back to football. My last game was in November.”

Once eligible after UCLA’s academic year was com- pleted, McKinley has been working out at the Falcons’ facility.

“Once UCLA was over, June 15 actually, I flew out June 15, and I’ve been working hard Monday through Fridays in the weight room, outside doing drills, just doing everything I could do,” McKinley said.

The Falcons hope McKin- ley will play in the third or fourth exhibition game.

CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones runs an agility drill on Thursday’s first day of practice at training camp in Flowery Branch. Defensive end and No. 1 draft pick Takkarist McKinley, recovered from surgery, was also on the field.