Tag: Falcons Injuries

Raheem Morris says CB Darqueze Dennard is close to returning

Morris said Dennard is “getting close” to coming back, as reported by Jason Butt of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The Atlanta Falcons’ secondary has gotten very few breaks this season, but things could be looking up. Head coach Raheem Morris gave an update on the status of nickel CB Darqueze Dennard, who’s eligible to return this week from the injured reserve list after sitting out the previous three games.

Morris said Dennard is “getting close” to coming back, as reported by Jason Butt of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution below.

Prior to leaving the Falcons’ Week 3 loss to the Chicago Bears with a hamstring injury, Dennard was playing well. He had just come down with a potentially game-sealing interception, but exited the game before the Bears came back to win.

Dennard would be a welcome addition to Atlanta’s secondary, which has been getting healthier in recent weeks. We’ll see if he can practice this week in preparation for Sunday’s matchup with the Detroit Lions (2-3).

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Vikings rule out RB Dalvin Cook for Week 6

The Atlanta Falcons (0-5) will look for their first win of the season on Sunday when they take on the Minnesota Vikings (1-4) in Week 6.

The Atlanta Falcons (0-5) will look for their first win of the season on Sunday when they take on the Minnesota Vikings (1-4) in Week 6.

While we wait for the Falcons’ Friday injury report to come out, it turns out the Vikings have already ruled out starting running back Dalvin Cook, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Atlanta had to cancel practice on Thursday when an assistant coach tested positive for COVID-19. All-Pro wide receiver Julio Jones sat out on Wednesday, and his status for Sunday is still up in the air.

Check back for the official injury report after the conclusion of Friday’s practice.

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Sheffield on return: ‘It’s going to be very tough, but I’m up for it’

Falcons second-year cornerback Kendall Sheffield has returned from a foot injury that sidelined him for the team’s first three games.

The Falcons’ defensive secondary has predictably struggled this season, both due to injuries and inexperience. Things will get even tougher in Week 4 on ESPN’s Monday Night Football when the team takes an explosive Green Bay Packers offense.

On Saturday, Atlanta ruled out both starting safeties, Keanu Neal and Ricardo Allen, along with cornerback A.J. Terrell, who’s still on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Starting nickel CB Darqueze Dennard is on injured reserve for at least the next three games.

But there is one small ray of hope for the Falcons on Monday. Second-year cornerback Kendall Sheffield has returned from a foot injury that sidelined him for the team’s first three games. It’s not exactly an ideal situation for the young corner to be walking into, though.

The Falcons are starting Sheffield in his 2020 debut against Packers QB Aaron Rodgers in prime time. When asked about the challenge he’s up against, Sheffield didn’t deny it would be tough.

“It’s going to be very tough, but I’m up for it and I believe in my abilities,” said Sheffield following Saturday’s practice. “The coaches that I’ve got have got us ready for this game, so I’ll be ready.”

Watch Sheffield’s comments below, as shared by ESPN’s Vaughn McClure on Twitter:

Atlanta’s Week 4 injury report came out today and both receivers Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley were listed as questionable for Monday’s game. Defensive end Takk McKinley will miss his second-straight contest as well.

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Younghoe Koo expected to miss time due to groin injury

According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Koo was dealing with a groin injury that he aggravated in Week 3 and is expected to miss a few games.

Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo didn’t have his best game on Sunday, missing a field goal and an extra point during Atlanta’s 30-26 loss to the Chicago Bears.

According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Koo was dealing with a groin injury that he aggravated in Week 3, and is expected to miss a few games.

Koo could end up on the NFL’s short-term injured reserve list. In three games this season, the former Georgia Southern kicker has made eight of nine field goal attempts and six of eight extra points.

Expect the Falcons to try out some kickers this week to fill in during Koo’s absence.

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Falcons CB A.J. Terrell placed on reserve/COVID list, out for Sunday’s game vs. Bears

Falcons rookie cornerback A.J. Terrell has been placed on the reserve/COVID list, and he won’t play Sunday against the Bears.

The Chicago Bears continue to catch breaks with opponent injuries.

With the Atlanta Falcons already reeling from a laundry list of injuries, they suffered another defensive loss heading into Sunday’s game against the Bears.

Falcons rookie cornerback A.J. Terrell has been placed on the reserve/COVID list, and he won’t play Sunday against the Bears. Terrell becomes the first NFL player this season to miss a game due to COVID-19 reasons.

Terrell’s positive COVID-19 test came back overnight, and no one else was positive. Those individuals were tested this morning and the results will come back early Sunday morning, so this is a situation worth monitoring.

The Falcons defense has had its share of struggles through two games this season, as they’re allowing 39 points per game (1st in NFL) and 372 passing yards per game (2nd in NFL). Now with he loss of Terrell, it’s not going to get any better, even against a Bears offense that has yet to put together a complete game.

The Bears and Falcons kick things off at noon CT tomorrow on FOX.

Falcons WR Julio Jones missed practice again with hamstring injury

The Bears might catch a break. WR Julio Jones continues to nurse a hamstring injury, which has held him out of practice again on Thursday.

The Chicago Bears were one of the few lucky teams to escape last week’s Bloody Sunday without any major injuries. Although, they did lose defensive tackle John Jenkins for at least three weeks to a thumb injury. But they’ve certainly been more fortunate than others.

One of the teams that hasn’t been as lucky has been the Atlanta Falcons, whose injury report list this week has been quite long. And it hasn’t been without its notable names. The Bears might just catch a break in terms of injuries if some important starters can’t suit up.

The biggest name that’s dominated the injury report has been Falcons receiver Julio Jones, who didn’t practice Wednesday or Thursday. Jones aggravated his hamstring in Atlanta’s brutal loss to the Dallas Cowboys, which makes his availability for Sunday’s game a question mark.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said that Jones’ status is still very much in the air for Sunday.

Jones is one of the best receivers in the NFL, and an integral part to the success of Atlanta’s high-flying offense. If Jones can’t go, that would put the workload on third-year wideout Calvin Ridley. Bad news for the Falcons, good news for the Bears.

While Ridley is off to an impressive start — 16 receptions for 239 yards and four touchdowns — he’s accomplished that as the No. 2 guy. If Jones doesn’t play, the target will be placed firmly on Ridley’s back.

Bears injury report: Khalil Mack limited in Thursday’s practice

The Bears released their injury report for Thursday’s practice, and it was good news, which is something the Falcons can’t say right now.

The Chicago Bears released their injury report for Thursday’s practice, and it was good news, which is something their upcoming opponent the Atlanta Falcons can’t say right now.

While the Bears have a crowded injury report, which includes some minor injuries with receivers Allen Robinson, Anthony Miller and Darnell Mooney, as well as pass rusher Robert Quinn, those players and more practiced in full on Thursday.

Outside linebacker Khalil Mack was the only player that didn’t practice in full, as he was limited Thursday. Mack has been limited in every practice thus far this season, and he’s managed to start in both games this season.

The Falcons haven’t been as lucky on the injury front. A handful of players didn’t practice for the second straight day, including most notably receiver Julio Jones, who is nursing a hamstring injury.

We’ll see how tomorrow looks before the Falcons designate game statuses for the likes of some important players, including Jones.

Dante Fowler, Marlon Davidson held out of Monday practice

Falcons training camp practice resumes on Monday, but the team will be without two key defensive linemen.

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Falcons training camp practice resumes on Monday, but the team will be without two key defensive linemen. Both rookie DL Marlon Davidson and free-agent DE Dante Fowler are being held out, per ESPN’s Vaughn McClure.

Knee issues are always a concern, especially Fowler’s knee brace. But we don’t know how severe either injury is at this point. Fowler figures to play a big role on defense this season, replacing Vic Beasley — the team’s 2019 sack leader.

As for Davidson, the more time he misses, the less of an impact he will be able to make in 2020. Rookies are already at a big disadvantage without a preseason to get early game reps. Davidson is still making the most of his time at camp, however, saying that he’s following around DT Grady Jarrett “like a gnat at a barbecue.”

Falcons defensive end Steven Means is out today as well after landing on the reserve/COVID-19 list over the weekend.

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Falcons G Jamon Brown in concussion protocol

The Falcons emerged from their first padded practice on Tuesday mostly unscathed except for guard Jamon Brown, who landed on the NFL’s concussion protocol

The Falcons emerged from their first padded practice on Tuesday mostly unscathed except for guard Jamon Brown, who landed on the NFL’s concussion protocol, as reported by ESPN’s Vaughn McClure.

Brown was signed in 2019 along with James Carpenter as the team attempted to rebuild its offensive line. After drafting both Kaleb McGary and Chris Lindstrom in the first round, Brown became an expensive backup.

Stay tuned for more updates from Wednesday’s practice.

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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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