Falcons' Grady Jarrett realizes goal by returning from knee injury for start of training camp

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — Grady Jarrett achieved his goal by returning to the field for the Atlanta Falcons' first training camp practice on Thursday.

For new coach Raheem Morris, having Jarrett taking snaps at defensive tackle for the first time since suffering a knee injury that ended his 2023 season was the perfect way to open camp.

“When you see Grady, Grady lights up everything that he does,” Morris said, adding Jarrett's positive influence is felt in practice, the meeting room, games and “everything in life.”

“Grady is Atlanta,” Morris said. “He embodies everything that we’re about. He defines our ethos.”

Jarrett, 31, is a two-time Pro Bowler who had started every game for the Falcons since 2018 before tearing his right anterior cruciate ligament on Oct. 29, 2023, in a loss at Tennessee. Since that injury, Jarrett realized he would have to rush his rehabilitation to be cleared for training camp.

“Doing the math I knew it was going to take everything, every day,” Jarrett said. "I set a goal to be back by the opening of training camp and I reached my goal. It felt amazing to be back.”

Jarrett wore a brace on his right knee in Thursday's light practice and his participation in camp will be monitored.

Morris said the progress of quarterback Kirk Cousins, returning from a torn right Achilles tendon, and running back Bijan Robinson, who was slowed by what he described as a “light sprain” of his left ankle in the offseason, also will be monitored.

Cousins took snaps with the first-team offense through the offseason, including mandatory minicamp. Rookie first-round pick Michael Penix has shared second-team snaps with Taylor Heinicke.

Cousins signed a four-year, $180 million deal with $100 million guaranteed in March. Penix was drafted to eventually succeed Cousins as the starter. The Falcons have stressed that Cousins will start as long as he's healthy.

“Obviously in my situation it’s just great to be moving around in football cleats again,” Cousins said after Thursday's practice.

Cousins said actually playing is the final stage of his rehab. He said he would like to play in preseason games but doesn't expect Morris to grant his wish.

“I want to play but I think that ask fell on deaf ears,” Cousins said, adding the message from Morris was “'You’re not playing.'”

Added Cousins: “I don’t know if I’m letting the cat out of the bag. ... I think seeing live bullets is helpful but I also see the logic of not doing it.”

Robinson showed no signs of still being slowed by his ankle injury. The second-year running back flashed his usual quickness in his cuts, including on one play when he was shadowed by Jarrett.

“I can’t control that instinct in me,” Jarrett said of his adjustment to Robinson's cut. “If the ball is over there, I’ve got to go get it. To not even be thinking about the leg, that felt good.”

Added Jarrett with a smile: “If it was game time I could have laid him down.”

NOTES: All training camp sessions at the team's practice facility will be closed to fans this year as final work is being completed on a renovation project that includes a new locker room, weight room and cafeteria. ... On Wednesday, the team signed OTs Julien Davenport and Zack Bailey and released OT Ryan Coll and P Ryan Sanborn.

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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins speaks to the media after an NFL training camp football practice Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) runs a drill during an NFL training camp football practice Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Atlanta Falcons defensive end Grady Jarrett speaks to the media after an NFL training camp football practice Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Atlanta Falcons offensive tackle Jake Matthews (70) and the rest of the offensive linemen run during an NFL training camp football practice Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Atlanta Falcons defensive end Grady Jarrett speaks to the media after an NFL training camp football practice Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris watches an NFL training camp football practice Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins speaks to the media after an NFL training camp football practice Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) running back Bijan Robinson (7) and quarterback Taylor Heinicke (4) run a drill during an NFL training camp football practice Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris speaks to the media before the team's first NFL training camp football practice Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson runs a drill during an NFL training camp football practice Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson runs a drill during an NFL training camp football practice Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Taylor Heinicke (4) and running back Bijan Robinson, right, run drills during an NFL training camp football practice Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Atlanta Falcons defensive end Grady Jarrett speaks to the media after an NFL training camp football practice Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins speaks to the media after an NFL training camp football practice Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins throws during an NFL training camp football practice Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Atlanta Falcons defensive end Grady Jarrett speaks to the media after an NFL training camp football practice Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuela's government has revoked permission for Brazil to serve as custodian of Argentina's diplomatic missions in the country, alleging several anti-government opponents holed up for months in the Argentine ambassador's residence had been plotting terrorist acts from the compound.

In a statement Saturday, Venezuela's foreign ministry said it had notified Brazil of its decision, which will take effect immediately. It said it was forced to take action based on what it called evidence — which it hasn't shared — that those who sought refuge in Argentina's diplomatic mission were plotting.

Magalli Meda, the former campaign chief of opposition leader María Corina Machado, was among a half dozen government opponents who fled to the Argentina ambassador’s residence after Maduro’s chief prosecutor in March issued an order for her arrest for allegedly propagating destabilizing, political violence.

In retaliation, Maduro broke off diplomatic relations with Argentine President Javier Milei’s right-wing government, which tapped neighbor Brazil to represent its interests and safeguard the asylum seekers.

There was no immediate response from Argentina or Brazil.

Since Friday, armored vehicles from the SEBIN political police have been parked outside the Argentina ambassador’s residence in a leafy Caracas neighborhood. Electricity to the diplomatic mission was also cut, according to Meda, who has taken to social media to denounce what she fears is an impending raid to arrest her and the other government opponents.

Police guard Argentina's embassy in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)