Falcons cautious with Gabriel’s lower leg injury

November 27, 2016, Atlanta: Falcons wide receiver Taylor Gabriel scores a 35-yard touchdown against the Cardinals for a 17-10 lead during the second quarter in an NFL football game on Sunday, Nov. 27, 2016, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

November 27, 2016, Atlanta: Falcons wide receiver Taylor Gabriel scores a 35-yard touchdown against the Cardinals for a 17-10 lead during the second quarter in an NFL football game on Sunday, Nov. 27, 2016, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

Wide receiver Taylor Gabriel has been slowed by a lower leg strain, Falcons head coach Dan Quinn said on Tuesday.

“He’s close,” Quinn said. “He’s running, but we are just trying to be extra cautious.”

Gabriel, who signed his second-round tender worth $2.81 million on April 22, emerged as the Falcons’ No. 3 wide receiver last season while making $510,000 after being cut by the Cleveland Browns.

He added a spark to the offense with his speed and toughness. As the third receiver behind Julio Jones and Mohamed Sanu, Gabriel finished with 35 catches for 579 yards and six touchdowns. Gabriel averaged 19 yards per catch, on nine catches, in the playoffs.

“Speed guys, we are just waiting until man is he at full speed and really healthy before we let him go,” Quinn said. “We are just trying to be extra cautious in terms of getting him back. He’s been here. He’s been in the meetings. He’s been able to do some things, but just to let it rip full speed, we are not there yet.”