Falcons wide receiver Taylor Gabriel is back.
After spending much of training camp tending to a lower leg strain and easing into the regular season, Gabriel broke out with a 40-yard touchdown on a screen play in the 30-26 victory over the Detroit Lions.
He kept a positive spirit while battling through the injury.
“It wasn’t tough because it wasn’t an injury that I couldn’t come back from,” Gabriel said. “It was just a matter of getting back stronger and strengthen myself and my leg. I had the speed it was just strengthening.”
Gabriel’s injury occurred after landing a $2.8 million contract, a year after he was waived by the Cleveland Browns. He had the highest passer rating of any receiver on passes thrown to him in 2016, according to Pro Football Focus.
The passer rating of 148.1 on balls thrown to Gabriel last season was significantly better than the second-best rating of 129.8 on passes to Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan. Cowboys wide receiver Terrance Williams had the third-highest, at 124.6.
Last season, Gabriel finished with 35 catches for 579 yards and six touchdowns, playing as the No. 3 receiver behind Julio Jones and Mohamed Sanu.
Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan enjoys Gabriel’s contributions to the offense.
Credit: Todd Kirkland
Credit: Todd Kirkland
“He’s been huge for us the two years he’s been here,” Ryan said. “Really, his ability to make plays with the ball in space is really as good as anybody. He’s another weapon that people have to account for and have to defend.”
Having a speedy third receiver keeps teams from trying to key on Jones or running back Devonta Freeman.
“I think what helps us be productive on offense is that we have guys like Taylor, Julio, Mohamed and both of our backs,” Ryan said. “There are different people that you have to account for and we are willing and able to use any of those guys at any time.”
On the play against Detroit, Gabriel was going 20.58 mph in a rate-of-speed analysis by NFL Next Gen Stats. It was the fifth fastest touchdown in the league last week.
“That’s kind of slow,” said Taylor, who been clocked at 4.27 seconds in the 40-yard dash. “It was only 40 yards, so I really couldn’t get it going. That was kind of slow.”
Gabriel, who’s nickname is Turbo, said he’d still beat the Freeze, the runner at Braves games, in a race.
“I think Turbo would get him,” Ryan said. “I’m fairly confident. He’s got some good top-end (speed).”
Gabriel didn’t like the league rating, either.
“There’s no such thing as being fifth,” Gabriel said. “That’s kind of slow.”
After the touchdown, Gabriel and Jones celebrated by passing a baton like they were part of the team’s 4X100 relay track team.
“It was just something that we came up with when we were out there playing around,” Gabriel said. “We were just out there having fun. It just shows you how loose and exciting we want to be.”
The relaxed celebration rules came into play.
“It’s fun, and it’s exciting,” Gabriel said. “I can’t wait to see what my brothers have for me when they get in the end zone.”
Gabriel thought he had a chance to score on that screen as soon as they broke the huddle.
“Yeah, I had a real good sense I could score on that play,” Gabriel said.
He likes his role in the offense.
“It’s just that we have a high-powered offense,” Gabriel said. “It’s not just one person. There are a lot of tools in the shed. If we go out there and do what we are supposed to do, we’ll be OK.”
The Bills have not allowed a receiving touchdown this season. Gabriel didn’t seem too impressed when the stat was mentioned to him.
“Just be us,” Gabrield said. “Be one of the top offenses in the league. It’s going to be a good match and very exciting. But as long as we go out there and do what we are supposed to do, I feel like we’ll be OK.”
The Bills are very aware of Gabriel and his ability to strike for large gains quickly.
“I thought that was a great pickup by Thomas Dimitroff and Scott Pioli,” Buffalo coach Sean McDermott said. “Grea t pickup at a key time in getting him from Cleveland. ... Offensively, they use him well in different packages. They get him the ball both on shots down the field and on some underneath stuff. He’s a really big weapon for them.”
