The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Clayborn healthy, 'ready to contribute'
Defensive end says he’s ‘100 percent’ recovered after January biceps tear.
FLOWERY BRANCH — Adrian Clayborn didn’t play very much in the Falcons’ first exhibition game, but the seventh-year defensive end looks forward to playing more Sunday in Pittsburgh, and he’s quite pleased to be playing at all.
Defensive line coach Bryant Young feels very much the same.
Missing Super Bowl LI and the NFC Championship game last season was absolutely unpleasant for Clayborn, only made worse by pain. Life was kind of miserable for a while after he tore his left biceps muscle in the divisional-round playoff game against the Seahawks.
While he saw very limited action last week against the Dolphins, he felt great.
“I played two plays, so my first goal is to play more than that,” Clayborn said. “It’s fully 100 percent healed. I don’t feel any twinges or pain, so that’s a positive. I would say it’s back to 100 strengthwise.”
The Falcons are busy at defensive end, where Brooks Reed and Courtney Upshaw are currently listed as starters. Clayborn and
Derrick Shelby are the veterans in a group of backups that includes first-round draft choice Takk McKinley, fellow rookie J’Terius Jones, and Chris Odom and Martin Ifedi.
Linebacker Vic Beasley works at end sometimes, too, meaning there is no guarantee there will be a lot of snaps for Clayborn. He made good use of last season, racking up 22 combined tackles and assists, 4.5 sacks, a pass breakup and a fumble recovery for a touchdown in 13 games (seven starts).
It’s more clear that when he plays, the former Iowa standout is most likely to work from the right side.
“We’ll keep him where he’s best suited to play, and he’s played primarily on the right side,” Young said. “I know he’s more comfortable and effective that way.”
Clayborn, 29, is becoming comfortable with the label of sage veteran as he and Reed, 30, are both entering their seventh NFL seasons.
“He’s just been doing a fantastic job. His mentality, his approach, his demeanor has been awesome,” Young explained. “He’s been great to have in our room and back on the field. I’m just glad he’s back healthy and ready to contribute to this defense. Guys really respect him.”
This is not to suggest that No. 99 is a big talker. There are times and places to counsel younger players.
“I’m the oldest guy in the room besides Brooks,” Clayborn said. “But the good thing about our room is we all talk. We all speak up when we have something to say. It’s not just me. It’s everybody.”
When he was injured against the Seahawks, there was plenty to be said, and most of it wasn’t warm and fuzzy.
Unfortunately, Clayborn tore his right biceps muscle in the first game of the 2014 season while playing for Tampa Bay and missed virtually all season.
“I had the injury before. I knew right away,” he said of wrenching his left arm. “It was the same thing, opposite side. I just got my elbow hyperextended, and it popped off the bone. It rolled up, and I felt it, and I looked down, so I knew it. It’s a lot of pain. It does not feel good.”
Limited at the beginning of training camp so coaches and team officials could gauge his strength, Clayborn is full-go now, and he can expect more playing time against the Steelers.
“The more game reps you get, the better game shape you get in. No matter how much work and running and conditioning you do ... to be on the field getting football reps is a different type of conditioning,” Young said. “I would have loved to have gotten him more reps, so we’ll look for him to have more in this game.”
Sign Adrian up for that. He’s ready to roll.
“I want to play free, get after the ball and have fun with my teammates,” Clayborn said. “I’m just trying to get a feel for the game.”