Latest On Geno Atkins

Defensive tackle Geno Atkins is expected to be cleared by July 1, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). That’s good news for the free agent, who should be ready to go for training camp later in the month. RapSheet adds that multiple teams have expressed interest in Atkins.

Atkins have his torn rotator cuff checked out by Cowboys team doctor Dan Cooper in a few weeks, Rapoport hears. For now, that’s just an appointment — not a Cowboys visit. Still, they may want to meet with Atkins while he’s in Dallas. If not, Atkins should hold appeal for plenty of other teams as a low-risk, high-reward type of signing. Even the Bengals have indicated that they’d be interested in a reunion, despite cutting him in March.

Geno is one of the greatest players in franchise history and one of the best defensive tackles of the last decade,” exec Duke Tobin said in April. “He gave us what he had last year…We’ll see if there are things that can be worked out. If it is, great. If not, I think we’ve got other guys that can fill the role.”

Atkins fought through a shoulder injury throughout 2020. He suited up for just eight games in total, and, even when he was healthy, he wasn’t happy about his playing time. His final tally: zero sacks and zero starts. It was a sharp drop from his pre-extension season in 2017, when he finished out as Pro Football Focus’ No. 2 ranked interior defender.

Before all of that, he was a perennial Pro Bowler. Once he’s healthy, Atkins could be a difference-maker for contenders in need.

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