Former Ohio State DB Jeff Okudah had to be carted off the field at Friday’s Atlanta Falcons practice.

Okudah is dealing with an ankle injury. Falcons teammates huddled in prayer after Okudah was injured.

Falcons coach Arthur Smith discussed Okudah’s injury after practice.

“With Jeff, it’s an ankle,” Smith said after practice, per ProFootballTalk. “But you look at it, and I just don’t want to be quoted on something and give you [something] one way or the other. But we’ll have more after he gets done with an MRI. Hopefully, it’s optimistic and he’ll be back out there.

“So, that’s kind of where we’re at. I hate to be that vague. This isn’t like we’re trying to be vague for competitive reasons or whatever. … It’s just the way information travels, guys get carted off, there are all kinds of ridiculous rumors, and the guy’s OK. I just won’t know until he gets an MRI.”

Okudah played at Ohio State from 2017-to-2019, capping his career with an All-B1G season, earning Unanimous All-American recognition. The Detroit Lions drafted Okudah No. 3 overall in 2020.

The Lions traded Okudah to the Falcons in April. Okudah has played in 25 games (starting 22) in his pro career. After missing most of 2021 due to injury, Okudah returned in 2022 as a 15-game starter, recording 73 tackles and 7 passes defended with 1 interception.