The Falcons re-signed defensive tackle Corey Peters on Tuesday, less than three months after an Achilles tear ended his 2013 season.
The timing of the injury calls into question when Peters will be ready to resume a full workload. Peters is still on crutches and in a walking boot, but hopes that he’ll be crutch-free at the end of the month. He also said that “there’s no reason to believe that I won’t be ready to go for the start of the season.”
That would be good news for a Falcons defensive line that owner Arthur Blank thinks needs to be tougher next season. Peters agrees with Blank’s assessment.
“I can’t speak for anyone else but for me, and I’d say that’s a fair criticism,” Peters said, via Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com. “When teams are having success running the ball like they had last year against us, I do take it personal. There’s a few things that we need to do better, and being tougher is one of them.”
Peters’ ability to make a full recovery will determine how much of a role he plays in the return of toughness to the front line of the Atlanta defense.