Tag: Austin Hooper

Julio Jones is a game-time decision on Saints-Falcons final injury report

The New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons published their final injury report, with Falcons WR Julio Jones listed as a game-time decision.

The New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons published their final injury report ahead of their Thanksgiving Day matchup. If the Saints can achieve victory over the Falcons, they will clinch the NFC South for the third season in a row.

Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore and kick-return specialist Deonte Harris both returned to practice on Tuesday after having sat out the last two games with hamstring injuries, and they are both questionable to play on Thursday.

However, the big name to watch will be Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones, who was a limited participant on Wednesday after resting throughout the week, and could be in danger of missing Thanksgiving’s game. He’s officially questionable and will be a game-time decision during pregame warmups. His absence would drastically change the look of the Falcon’s offense.

Any changes to Tuesday’s practice status are noted in bold text, and players listed without likelihood of playing on Sunday (whether they are Out or Questionable) should be considered ready to go.

From the Saints

  • G Andrus Peat (forearm), Did not participate. OUT
  • FB Zach Line (knee), Did not participate. OUT
  • T Terron Armstead (ankle), Did not participate. OUT
  • G Will Clapp (back), Limited. Questionable
  • CB Marshon Lattimore (hamstring), Limited. Questionable
  • WR Deonte Harris (hamstring), Limited. Questionable

From the Falcons

  • TE Austin Hooper (knee), Did not participate. OUT
  • WR Julio Jones (shoulder), Limited. Questionable
  • CB Jordan Miller (illness), Full
  • TE Luke Stocker (back), Did not participate. Questionable
  • DT Tyeler Davison (neck), Full
  • RB Devonta Freeman (foot), Full
  • DE Takkarist McKinley (shoulder), Full
  • S Sharrod Neasman (shoulder), Limited. Questionable
  • CB Desmond Trufant (toe), Full
  • S Kemal Ishmael (concussion), Full. Questionable
  • QB Matt Ryan (ankle), Full

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Falcons list inactives ahead of Week 11 matchup in Carolina

Desmond Trufant is finally active after being out for the last few weeks, but Devonta Freeman and Austin Hooper are inactive due to injury.

The Atlanta Falcons have announced their inactives ahead of today’s game in Carolina against the Panthers. The team announced them as follows:

Running back Devonta Freeman was listed as out on Friday after practice missing the entire week due to a foot injury. He may not be back for another two-to-three weeks. With backup Ito Smith on injured reserve and Freeman out, the Falcons will be using a rotation of all-around back Brian Hill, power back Qadree Ollison and veteran speedster Kenjon Barner.

Austin Hooper has been having a Pro Bowl caliber season at the tight end position with his pace of nearly 1,200 yards and 10 touchdowns. His knee injury will affect this pace and keep him out a few weeks, however. The Falcons will be using Jaeden Graham and Luke Stocker as the main tight ends this week, and hopefully, they can provide some sort semblance of similar play.

Reserve safety/linebacker and special teams player Kemal Ishmael is also out this week. His role in the starting lineup has already been replaced by sliding Ricardo Allen over to strong safety and Damontae Kazee to free safety, but the Falcons should be able to easily compensate for his loss on special teams. Sharrod Neasman, Jermaine Grace and other reserve safeties will all get shots to take his ace gunner role.

Defensive linemen John Cominsky and Deadrin Senat are inactive again this week. Senat has been inactive all year. Cominsky was out last week with an injury, and he might still be dealing with the fallout from it. Wide receiver Brandon Powell and offensive lineman Matt Gono are at the bottom of the roster and were also expected to be inactive.

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Behind Enemy Lines: How did the Falcons get here?

To learn more about what’s going on, we spoke with Matt Urben, managing editor of Falcons Wire.

The Panthers have not had much success against the Falcons in recent years, losing six of the last seven matchups. However, Atlanta has fallen on hard times this season and is already out of the playoff race.

To learn more about what’s going on, we spoke with Matt Urben, managing editor of Falcons Wire.

Panthers Wire: The Falcons come into this week at 2-7. What went wrong to get them in this spot?

Falcons Wire: The Falcons were supposed to be an offensive juggernaut and outscore people. Not only has the offense underachieved, the defense has played significantly worse than anyone anticipated. Injuries have hurt, but the team hadn’t played a complete game until last week’s win over the Saints.

PW: Atlanta held New Orleans to just nine points last week. Can you explain what changes they made on defense with the coaching staff?

FW: Head coach Dan Quinn relinquished defensive play-calling duties to linebackers coach Jeff Ulbrich and former wide receivers coach Raheem Morris. Ulbrich now calls plays on first and second downs, while Morris calls the plays on third downs and in two-minute situations. It wasn’t much of a schematic shift, but there clearly was better communication and the players were where they were supposed to be. This resulted in the Falcons harassing Saints QB Drew Brees for most of the day. The team nearly doubled its season sack total in Week 10.

PW: How much are the Falcons going to miss Austin Hooper and Devonta Freeman? Who needs to step up?

FW: Hooper leads all tight ends in receptions, so he is certainly a big loss. Meanwhile, Freeman has yet to get going this season as the team has been at or near the bottom and rushing yards per game all season. Still, with Calvin Ridley, Julio Jones and Matt Ryan the Falcons should be OK.

PW: What grade would you give Matt Ryan for his season so far?

FW: I would give Ryan a solid B. He hasn’t been great, especially for the first few games when the Falcons got into early deficits. He has been near the top of the league in passing yards per game and touchdown passes, though, showing he really hasn’t been the problem. Ryan needs to cut down on the turnovers, but he is not the reason his team is 2-7.

PW: The Panthers are 5.5-point favorites. What do the Falcons need to do to get an upset?

FW: The only way the Falcons have a chance is if their defense comes out as engaged as it was last week and doesn’t let off the gas. The team will have some trouble slowing down Christian McCaffrey, but if Atlanta can contain Kyle Allen, it has a shot to pull off the upset. The Falcons can’t risk falling behind and becoming too one-dimensional, as they have been all season.

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Falcons TE Austin Hooper out for a month with MCL sprain

Falcons tight end Austin Hooper left Sunday’s win over the Saints due to a knee injury.

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Falcons tight end Austin Hooper left Sunday’s win over the Saints due to a knee injury. Hooper, who’s been one of the NFL’s elite tight ends this season, had an MRI which revealed he has an MCL sprain.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the team will be without its star tight end for about a month.

With just seven games remaining, you have to wonder if Hooper will even make it back on the field this season. Backup TE Luke Stocker should get more time over the next few weeks, but he’s not the weapon Hooper is.

Stocker has just six receptions for 34 yards and a touchdown in 2019.

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Vote for your favorite Falcons players to make the 2020 NFL Pro Bowl

The 2020 NFL Pro Bowl vote is now open, and while it hasn’t been a great year for the Falcons, there are still some players worthy of the honor.

The 2020 NFL Pro Bowl vote is now open, and while it hasn’t been a great year for the Falcons, there are still some players worthy of the honor.

Defensive tackle Grady Jarrett is among the most deserving. He leads the defense with 5.5 sacks, and has been the team’s most consistent player through the first nine games.

Wide receiver Julio Jones is in the middle of another great season, while tight end Austin Hooper, despite his recent injury, is certainly deserving of his second consecutive trip to the Pro Bowl.

Make sure to vote for all of your favorite Falcons players.

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Falcons TE Austin Hooper to have MRI on knee, expected to miss time

The Falcons may have lost two of their starters during the game, but still managed to pull off an upset win over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.

The Falcons may have lost two of their starters during the game, but still managed to pull off an upset win over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.

Tight end Austin Hooper hurt his knee and running back Devonta Freeman went down with a foot injury. Both players will have MRIs on Monday to determine the severity of their injuries, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

Atlanta hasn’t gotten a ton out of Freeman this season, while the running game as a whole has struggled to find room behind the team’s new-look offensive line.

Backup Ito Smith was just placed on the injured reserve last weekend, so keep your eyes on Brian Hill and Kenjon Barner to get some extra work.

Hooper, on the other hand, was having a breakout year. Through nine games, he was on a career-best pace with 56 catches, 608 yards and 6 touchdowns. Even if the injury causes him to miss time, he is probably on his way to a earning a hefty new contract with the Falcons or someone else in the very near future.

Hopefully, Atlanta won’t be without its star tight end for very long as he’s been one of the few bright spots this season.

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