Atlanta Falcons 'Really High' on Rookie Clark Phillips III Amidst Slow Start

Atlanta Falcons rookie defensive back Clark Phillips III hasn't played a defensive snap, but coach Arthur Smith is optimistic about what's to come.

Despite being a fourth-round pick in April's draft, cornerback Clark Phillips III joined the Atlanta Falcons with a stout resume featuring his honor as the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year in his final collegiate season.

A strong start to training camp only reinforced the buzz surrounding Phillips, who had several high-level matchups with Drake London, Atlanta's No. 1 receiver.

But Phillips' positive momentum seemingly stalled after being carted off with a leg injury during joint practices with the Miami Dolphins on Aug. 8.

The preseason came and went with little noise from Phillips, and the same has rung true through the first five weeks of his rookie season.

Phillips is yet to play a defensive snap and has seen only 29 plays on special teams, or 35 percent of such snaps during his three games. The former Utah standout was a healthy scratch in Weeks 3 and 4, both Atlanta losses.

The 21-year-old returned to action in Sunday's 21-19 victory over the Houston Texans, playing six special teams snaps, but remains without a defensive role.

And yet, Falcons coach Arthur Smith remains confident in what Phillips' future has in store.

"We’re really high on Clark Phillips," Smith said Monday, largely unprompted when discussing the secondary.

Clark Phillips III was a standout for the Atlanta Falcons over the summer / USA Today

Smith noted similar feelings for veteran cornerback Mike Hughes while raving about the entire defensive backfield, which has played at a high level this season.

With cornerbacks A.J. Terrell and Jeff Okudah, nickel corner Dee Alford and safeties Jessie Bates III and Richie Grant, the Falcons have an impressive collection of talent currently humming well together.

And so, Phillips' lack of playing time isn't a sign that he's struggling or falling behind; apart from their three starting corners, Atlanta has Tre Flowers as its backup on the perimeter, while Hughes is used as the primary punt returner in addition to providing versatility with his experience playing inside and outside.

Thus, if Phillips is active on Sundays, it means the Falcons are forced to carry six corners, which may not fit into the game plan each week and therefore puts the 5-10, 183-pound rookie firmly on the bubble of seeing the field.

However, rather than viewing this situation as a negative, Smith flipped the script, pointing out how it illustrates the depth Atlanta has in the secondary.

"We went from where we felt we lacked depth to – I mean, we’ve got some really good football players," Smith said. "We feel really good about the depth there. It’s a good problem to have. We feel like we’ve got secondary depth."

In years past, it's possible Phillips would've been forced into a big role early as a rookie, with the Falcons having no other options ... but with Alford in the midst of a stellar campaign and the rest of the secondary set in stone, there's just not a pathway to consistent playing time currently available.

And really, this scenario reflects just how far Atlanta's grown as a team - and should only benefit Phillips in the long run, with Smith confident he'll grow into an impact player.

The Falcons - with Phillips hopeful to make his defensive debut - return to action Sunday with a home game against the Washington Commanders. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. EST inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium.