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Ra’Shede Hageman Cleared to Practice Following Concussion

By Jonathan Savitske

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Atlanta Falcons’ Defensive Tackle Ra’Shede Hageman was cleared to participate in practice today at training camp following his recovery from a mild concussion, the Atlanta Journal Constitution’s D. Orlando Ledbetter reports.

Ra’Shede Hageman suffered a concussion back on August 19th and was unable to play in last Friday’s preseason game between the Atlanta Falcons and the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Ledbetter also reports that Hageman completed all of the NFL’s concussion protocols, allowing him to come back on schedule. The NFL’s concussion protocol is usually a one week process for when the mildest degree of a concussion is sustained by a player.

This is excellent news for the Atlanta Falcons defensive front, as Ra’Shede Hageman has made significant strides in his game this past offseason and during camp, becoming a force in the Falcons’ pass rush. Atlanta Falcons’ Head Coach Dan Quinn expressed his excitement regarding the return of Ra’Shede Hageman, stating, “That’s a huge addition for us, I know he can’t wait to get going.”

Since Dan Quinn has become Head Coach, he has placed a great emphasis on developing the Falcons’ pass rush, a component that was nearly non-existent on Mike Smith‘s teams for the better part of the last five seasons. After drafting Vic Beasley in the first round of the NFL Draft in May, it was made abundantly clear that Quinn and Defensive Coordinator Richard Smith‘s priority was the creation of strong front 7 that could pressure opposing quarterbacks.

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Last season as a rookie, Ra’Shede Hageman struggled during camp and in the first half of the season. He worked at length with Defensive Line Coach Bryan Cox, and by the end of the season, had shown signs of significant improvement. Dan Quinn’s change in defensive philosophy this season should also help Ra’Shede Hageman continue to develop as a player more than Mike Nolan did last season.

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As the Falcons’ 2014 second round pick out of the University of Minnesota, expectations were high for Hageman to make an immediate impact on the Falcons’ defensive line. Coming into training camp this season, Ra’Shede Hageman had shed around 10 pounds (he came to camp last year at 320 lbs.) and felt noticeable quicker off the snap.  It finally looks as if Hageman is living up to the expectations placed upon him as a second round pick and has the right mentality going into the 2015 season.

Next: Leonard Hankerson: Becoming the Falcons' 3rd Receiver

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