Tag: “News”

Falcons vs. Eagles: 7 storylines to follow in Week 1

After a busy offseason, the Atlanta Falcons host the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 1 from Mercedes-Benz Stadium this Sunday.

After a busy offseason, the Atlanta Falcons host the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 1 of the regular season this Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. First-year Falcons head coach Arthur Smith will look to guide the team back to the playoffs following a three-year drought.

Let’s check out seven storylines worth following during Sunday’s season-opening matchup in Atlanta.

Falcons LB Mykal Walker changes jersey to No. 3

After many months of speculation, Falcons second-year linebacker Mykal Walker finally changes his jersey number.

After many months of speculation, Falcons second-year linebacker Mykal Walker has finally changed his jersey number. Walker sported the No. 43 jersey during his rookie season, but after the NFL relaxed its jersey number policy, Walker will don the number he wore at Fresno State: No. 3.

Walker hinted at a number change in May and reiterated it once again in the middle of training camp. Not many Falcons players took advantage of the new number policy, only Russell Gage opted to switch to the No. 14.

Rookie Kyle Pitts and veteran Tajae Sharpe did however opt to go with single digit numbers, previously only reserved for quarterbacks, punters, and kickers.

The Falcons released their first 53-man roster for the 2021 season on Tuesday.

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NFC South news roundup: Preseason Week 2

Here are the major storylines around the Falcons’ three NFC South rivals entering Week 2 of the preseason.

With the first week of preseason action already in the books, we decided to take a look around the NFC South to see what the Atlanta Falcons‘ three division rivals are up to. Here’s a look at all notable signings, injuries and team news for the New Orleans Saints, Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers leading up to the second preseason game.

Falcons sign TE David Wells, place Ryan Becker on injured reserve

The Atlanta Falcons have added another tight end, signing David Wells on Friday and placing Ryan Becker on the injured reserve list.

The Atlanta Falcons have added another tight end, signing David Wells on Friday and placing Ryan Becker on the injured reserve list. Wells, 26, was an undrafted free agent out of San Diego State back in 2018, signing with the Dallas Cowboys as a rookie. 

Primarily a blocker, Wells provides good depth to a Falcons team transitioning to more two and three tight end sets, and he can contribute on special teams

After failing to catch on in Dallas, Wells landed in Kansas City on the Chiefs practice squad before being released again. The New England Patriots signed Wells back in July but cut him earlier this week.

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Falcons release two players ahead of Tuesday’s cut deadline

The Falcons released offensive lineman Bryce Hargrove and linebacker George Obinna on Monday afternoon.

With the NFL‘s first set of roster cuts looming, the Atlanta Falcons continue to trim their roster. The team must get down to 85 players by Tuesday’s deadline and released offensive lineman Bryce Hargrove and linebacker George Obinna on Monday afternoon.

Obinna, an undrafted free agent out of Sacramento State in 2020, spent his rookie year with Cleveland on the injured reserve list before signing with the Falcons back in June. He recorded two solo tackles during Atlanta’s preseason opener on Friday. 

Hargrove, who started the past two seasons for Pitt at guard, signed with the Falcons after going undrafted back in May. Despite a decent showing against the Titans — allowing just one pressure — Hargrove faced long odds to make Atlanta’s final 53-man roster.

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John Cominsky in concussion protocol, Jalen Mayfield working at LG

John Cominsky suffered a head injury in the fourth quarter of Friday’s loss to the Tennessee Titans and is now in the concussion protocol.

The Atlanta Falcons got back to work on Monday morning following their underwhelming preseason debut over the weekend. Defensive lineman John Cominsky suffered a head injury in the fourth quarter of Friday’s loss to the Tennessee Titans and is now in the NFL’s concussion protocol.

Cominsky will be out this week for the team’s joint practices with the Miami Dolphins and won’t suit up for Saturday’s preseason matchup.

Other news coming out of practice Monday is rookie Jalen Mayfield practicing at left guard. Many projected Mayfield as a guard when the Falcons drafted him, but he has played mostly at right tackle through camp thus far.

According to ESPN’s Michael Rothstein, the former Michigan offensive lineman is battling Josh Andrews at left guard and has been running with the second-team offense.

The Falcons’ offensive line got abused by the Titans in their preseason opener, with left guard being among the biggest issues. Atlanta’s quarterbacks completed just seven of 21 pass attempts and the running backs didn’t fare much better.

Check back for highlights after Monday’s practice.

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Falcons agree to terms with LB Deone Bucannon

The Falcons were thin at linebacker after letting go of De’Vondre Campbell in free agency and announced on Thursday that they have agreed to terms with linebacker/safety Deone Bucannon

The Falcons were thin at linebacker after letting go of De’Vondre Campbell in free agency and announced on Thursday that they have agreed to terms with linebacker/safety Deone Bucannon.

Bucannon is another former first-round pick that hasn’t quite found his NFL footing. He’s spent time at multiple linebacker spots as well as safety, but has become more of a versatile depth piece rather than the impact-player teams viewed him as back in the 2014 draft.

In six NFL seasons, most recently with the New York Giants, Bucannon has 434 tackles (329 solo), 28 tackles for a loss, seven sacks and two interceptions.

The Falcons are likely to play him at an outside linebacker spot in certain situations, but he also provides some insurance as a strong safety in case Keanu Neal doesn’t return to his All-Pro form in 2020.

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