ATLANTA – Chris Lindstrom had to spend far too much of his rookie year in the NFL imagining how he would prepare for a game. The right guard is more than ready for a full season of reality.
Lindstrom, the No. 14 overall pick in the 2019 draft, broke his right foot in the Atlanta Falcons’ opener against the Minnesota Vikings last September. The right guard missed the next 11 games.
“The whole time I was injured, I was preparing like I was playing the game every single week,” Lindstrom said. “I’d write down notes: This is what I want to do against this guy.”
It was a lost season for Lindstrom and the Falcons, who finished 7-9 despite closing the year with four consecutive wins after the rookie returned from the injury.
Lindstrom is eager to take advantage of the crucial experience gained in those four games as he prepares for his second season. He’s had more time to develop chemistry with right tackle Kaleb McGary, another first-round pick last year.