Desmond Trufant out of concussion protocol, will play vs. Saints

July 27, 2017 Flowery Branch: Falcons cornerback Desmond Trufant gears up for the first day of team practice at training camp on Thursday, July 27, 2017, in Flowery Branch. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

July 27, 2017 Flowery Branch: Falcons cornerback Desmond Trufant gears up for the first day of team practice at training camp on Thursday, July 27, 2017, in Flowery Branch. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

Falcons starting left cornerback Desmond Trufant has cleared the concussion protocol and is set to return to practice today, coach Dan Quinn said.

The team later announced that he will play against the Saints on Thursday night.

Trufant missed Sunday’s 14-9 loss to Minnesota after being hit by teammate Keanu Neal in a win over Tampa Bay on Nov. 26.

Seldom-used cornerback Blidi Wreh-Wilson started at left cornerback Trufant against the Vikings on Sunday. Wreh-Wilson had been inactive for seven games and had not started this season.

Wreh-Wilson, a former third-round pick by Tennessee in 2013, has played in 39 NFL games with 14 starts.

The Falcons were also without cornerback Brian Poole (back) in the loss to the Vikings.

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