Falcons DB Billy Bowman Jr. Limited in 2026 Minicamp While Recovering From 2025 Achilles Tear

Atlanta Falcons defensive back Billy Bowman Jr. worked off to the side during organized team activities and mandatory minicamp and did not participate in individual drills or full-team activities, Daniel Flick of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. Flick predicted the Falcons would place Bowman on the physically unable to perform list at the end of 2026 training camp.

Placement on the PUP list would make the fourth-round pick from the 2025 draft ineligible for the first four games of the upcoming season. Bowman appeared in six games during his rookie season in 2025. 0 quarterback rating.

A hamstring injury and an Achilles tear ended Bowman’s 2025 season. The Achilles tear is the injury whose effects are expected to carry into 2026. The Athletic’s Josh Kendall expressed doubt before mandatory minicamp about Bowman’s chances of winning back his job as Atlanta’s starting nickel.

Kendall expects Bowman to return to the field during training camp. The Falcons selected defensive back Avieon Terrell in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Terrell is expected to receive most of his NFL work in the slot.

Free-agent pickup Darnay Holmes, who has primarily functioned as a nickel back in his career, was on the field a great deal during OTAs. Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich has said Terrell can play in the slot or on the boundary. Flick believes Mike Hughes will operate as the Falcons’ primary outside cornerback opposite AJ Terrell, while trade acquisition Sydney Brown will receive the majority of snaps at nickel, at least in the near term.

75 million contract with the Falcons in March 2026. Harris appeared in 15 games and logged 92 defensive snaps for the Houston Texans in 2025. Kendall says Harris will likely work as Divine Diablo’s primary running mate at inside linebacker by default.