Troy Andersen expects ‘healthy, successful’ third year with Atlanta Falcons

DILLON — Troy Andersen was in tears during the Atlanta Falcons’ road game against the Detroit Lions last September.

The second-year NFL linebacker had nine total tackles entering the Week 3 contest after sitting out Week 2 while in concussion protocol.

Then, while making a tackle in the fourth quarter, something went wrong.

“It’s a freak accident,” the former Dillon Beaver and Montana State Bobcat player said Wednesday after running his second youth football camp on his high school field, Vigilante Stadium. “Teared a pectoral muscle while doing a tackle. Sucks. Get surgery and start the rehabilitation process.”

A promising sophomore campaign — Andersen racked up 19 total tackles in two games played — was hampered by that shoulder/pectoral injury, and Andersen wasn’t cleared to return until Week 18. But the one silver lining he found amid the disappointment was knowing that the setback happened early enough that he could focus on being 100 percent in time for the start of his third season.

“Unfortunately it happened early, but fortunately it happened early enough that I was ready to compete in it this year,” he said. “I look forward to a healthy and successful year.

“I’m looking forward to getting back on the field, and so is our team. We made some good moves this off-season and we’re ready to have some fun this year.”

The Falcons open their preseason at Miami on Aug. 9.

Andersen also noted that he watched last year as the Beavers replicated what he and Dillon did during his senior season in 2016-17: winning the Class A football and basketball championships.

“It was super fun to watch,” Andersen said. “Send (Dillon graduate quarterback) Kee Christiansen a message before or after the game. (Dillon head football coach Zach) McRae, he’s awesome. What they’ve continued with the program and taken it to new heights, it’s awesome.”

McRae was Rick Nordahl’s assistant when Andersen was in high school and saw him grow from high school star to professional player.

“Troy is a very humble guy, we are very proud of him,” McRae said. “I think he’s first class, he does things the right way. He obviously has some pretty special athletic qualities, but he’s a star. »

Andersen’s football journey has taken him to places he could only dream of as a kid. But looking around his old stomping grounds in Dillon, he noticed that this place will always have meaning to him.

“Friday Night Lights. Montana high school football is hard to beat,” Andersen said. “We were fortunate to be good when I was here and they continued to do a good job with McRae and the guys, so it’s fun to follow them.”