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While the #Falcons won’t know their full 2023 schedule until tonight at 8 p.m. ET, a few of the games have been leaked
The Atlanta Falcons loaded up on talent over the offseason in an effort to end a five-year playoff drought. On Thursday night, the NFL will unveil the entire 2023 regular-season schedule.
For those who don’t feel like waiting until then, here’s a list of the games that have already been leaked on Twitter. (NOTE: None of these are official until the NFL’s schedule is released at 8 p.m. ET.)
The #Falcons have agreed to terms with FB Keith Smith, per report
Congratulations to our client Keith Smith ( @K_SMITH31 ) for agreeing to terms with the Falcons to stay another year in Atlanta. Year 10 on the way for Beef 💪🏼 #vaynersports
— AJ Vaynerchuk (@ajv) March 13, 2023
The Atlanta Falcons are bringing back fullback Keith Smith, according to Smith’s agent, AJ Vaynerchuk. Smith, 30, is entering his 10th NFL season.
He previously spent time with the Raiders and Cowboys organizations, but he’s been in Atlanta since 2019. Smith originally signed with the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent out of San Jose State in 2014.
While the team cannot sign anyone officially until the start of the new league year on Wednesday, March 15, negotiating is allowed during the NFL’s legal tampering period of free agency.
Atlanta has already traded for TE Jonnu Smith and extended right guard Chris Linstrom thus far on Monday morning.
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#Falcons designate LG Elijah Wilkinson to return from IR, opening his 21-day practice window
On Wednesday, the Atlanta Falcons ruled out tight end Kyle Pitts for the remainder of the season. But on the bright side, the team appears to be on the verge of getting another starter back on offense.
The Falcons have designated left guard Elijah Wilkinson to return from the injured reserve list. Wilkinson now has 21 days to officially be activated, and could potentially play Sunday if the coaching staff thinks he’s ready.
Arthur Smith said LG Elijah Wilkinson will return to practice today. Opens his window to return to active roster.
— Tori McElhaney (@tori_mcelhaney) November 30, 2022
According to Falcons head coach Arthur Smith, the 27-year old offensive lineman is getting closer but there’s no guarantee that he will be activated before Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Smith also provided an update (of sorts) regarding another injured offensive lineman.
Jalen Mayfield, last year’s starting left guard, has been out since training camp. The Falcons have yet to activate Mayfield, but believe he’s making progress.
"It comes down to his progress." Arthur Smith said the Falcons are still evaluating Jalen Mayfield's core strength, back health and overall conditioning to potentially be able to hold up through a whole game.
They have to make a decision this week as to what to do with Mayfield
— Tori McElhaney (@tori_mcelhaney) November 30, 2022
If both players are healthy, you have to assume the team will stick with Wilkinson at left guard. The former Bears lineman outplayed Mayfield during training camp and has thus far been a slight upgrade over the former third-round pick in the regular season.
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The Falcons couldn’t contain the Bengals offense in Week 7, allowing 537 yards during Sunday’s 35-17 loss.
The Atlanta Falcons couldn’t contain the Cincinnati Bengals offense in Week 7, allowing over 530 yards during Sunday’s 35-17 loss.
Falcons QB Marcus Mariota, the reigning NFC Offensive Player of the Week, was no match for the Bengals’ plethora of offensive weapons. Here are six takeaways from Atlanta’s Week 7 loss in Cincinnati.
“We got a great group of guys that truly believe in the culture being built here, Falcons QB Marcus Mariota said after Sunday’s win.
The Atlanta Falcons may not be great, but they’re not bad, and definitely not boring. After an 0-2 start that few believed the team could overcome, the Falcons have now won three out of their last four games.
Quarterback Marcus Mariota completed an impressive 92.7 percent of his passes during Sunday’s 28-14 win over the 49ers. Even though he threw for just 129 passing yards, Mariota made good decisions and didn’t turn the ball over.
“We got a great group of guys that truly believe in the culture being built here, and that’s fun to be a part of,” stated Mariota after Sunday’s win. “You know, when I was a free agent, I was looking at places to play, I knew Art here was going to build that type of locker room. And when you got a bunch of good guys that enjoy coming to work that want to put in their best effort for each other and not just for themselves, you’re going to find ways to win games and be successful.”
Watch Mariota’s full postgame press conference below.
LIVE: Marcus Mariota post-win press conference. https://t.co/lJs7hZ01gv
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) October 16, 2022
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Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons (0-1) released their first injury report of the week on Wednesday as the team prepares to play the Los Angeles Rams (0-1) on Sunday afternoon.
Falcons running back Damien Williams (ribs) was the only player to miss practice. Wide receiver Drake London, who was limited the entire week of practice in Week 1, was a full participant on Wednesday and told team reporter Tori McElhaney that he felt “real good.”
Drake London said after today's practice that he "feels good. Real, real good," following his league debut on Sunday. Said it was fair to say he's back to 100 percent.
— Tori McElhaney (@tori_mcelhaney) September 14, 2022
London finished his first career game with 74 receiving yards, and was Pro Football Focus’ 13th-ranked rookie first-round pick in Week 1. Have a look at the team’s extremely short injury report below.
The Falcons freed up some cap space on Tuesday by converting $8.5 million of Deion Jones’ salary into a bonus.
The Atlanta Falcons freed up some cap space by restructuring linebacker Deion Jones‘ contract on Tuesday. Jones, the team’s highest-paid player, had $8.5 million of his salary converted into a $6.8 million bonus.
The Falcons also added three voidable years to his contract to ensure Jones gets his money sooner, according to ESPN’s Field Yates.
A couple of contract restructures for cap space:
-Lions converted $4M of DT Michael Brockers' salary into a bonus for $2M
-Falcons converted $8.5M of LB Deion Jones’ salary into a bonus (with 3 void years added) for $6.8M. Jones get his salary payout sooner as part of the deal
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) September 13, 2022
Jones was placed on the injured reserve list prior to Week 1, along with cornerback Isaiah Oliver, defensive lineman Marlon Davidson, offensive lineman Jalen Mayfield and tight end John FitzPatrick.
Atlanta will likely be looking to move on from the former Pro Bowl linebacker, whose role had diminished in the team’s 3-4 defense. Mykal Walker and Rashaan Evans started for Atlanta at inside linebacker during the team’s loss to the Saints in Week 1.
According to OverTheCap.com, the Falcons now have about $9.5 million in cap space.
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Falcons WR Drake London and CB Darren Hall were limited again during Thursday’s practice
The Atlanta Falcons wrapped up practice on Thursday and have just one remaining before they host the New Orleans Saints in their regular season opener.
After practice, the team updated its official injury report. Tight end Parker Hesse, who missed Wednesday’s session for the birth of his child, returned Thursday. Rookie wide receiver Drake London (knee) was out there but limited for the second day in a row.
The same goes for cornerback Darren Hall (quad), who was also limited Thursday. Check out the full injury report below.
| Player | Injury | Wed | Thu | Fri | Status |
| Drake London | Knee | LP | LP | ||
| Parker Hesse | Personal | LP | LP | ||
| Darren Hall | Quad | DNP | FP |
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Falcons vs. Saints: Marcus Mariota and Drake London are two players to keep an eye on during Sunday’s game
The Atlanta Falcons are 5.5-point underdogs entering their Week 1 matchup against the New Orleans Saints. Both teams missed the playoffs last season, but the Falcons had a point differential of -146 points and the Saints were +29, which explains why New Orleans is favored.
Nonetheless, Falcons fans are excited to see the revamped roster take the field Sunday. With several new faces on both sides of the ball, make sure to keep an eye on these five players during Week 1.
WR Jared Bernhardt and LB Nathan Landman were two of the biggest surprises on the #Falcons’ initial 53-man roster.
The Falcons released their 53-man roster over an hour before the NFL’s 4 p.m. ET deadline on Tuesday, and there were more than a handful of surprises. The team kept 10 linebackers, six wide receivers, and just eight offensive linemen.
These five players were among the biggest surprises to make the team’s first 53-man roster of the 2022 NFL season.
