Tag: Troy Andersen

Falcons injury report: Updates on Bijan Robinson, Darnell Mooney

Falcons Friday injury report: Updates on Bijan Robinson, Darnell Mooney and Troy Andersen

The Atlanta Falcons are banged up at a couple of positions entering their Week 6 matchup against the Carolina Panthers, however, they got some good news on Friday’s injury report.

Running back Bijan Robinson (hamstring) was a full participant after being limited on Thursday. Wide receiver Darnell Mooney (knee) was also a full go on Friday after being limited the last two days.

The team ruled out inside linebacker Troy Andersen for Sunday’s game due to a knee injury. Andersen also missed the team’s Week 5 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Look for rookie linebacker JD Bertrand to step in for Andersen against the Panthers.

Nate Landman is another potential option, however, he has yet to be formally activated despite the Falcons opening his 21-day practice window on Monday. Landman practiced all three days this week and was listed as questionable on the team’s final injury report.

Falcons Week 6 injury report

Player Injury Wed Thu Fri Status
Bijan Robinson Hamstring FP LP FP   —
Darnell Mooney Knee LP LP FP   —
Matthew Judon Hamstring LP FP LP   —
Dee Alford Concussion LP FP FP   —
Troy Andersen Knee DNP DNP DNP OUT
Nate Landman Calf, Quad LP LP LP QUEST.
Jake Matthews Rest   —   — DNP   —
Kaleb McGary Rest   —   — DNP   —
Grady Jarrett Rest   —   — DNP   —
David Onyemata Rest   —   — DNP   —
Ta’Quon Graham Rest   —   — DNP   —

The Falcons will take on the Panthers this Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET inside Bank of America Stadium. Atlanta is favored by 5.5 points but Carolina always seems to put up a good fight. Check out the team’s depth chart, 53-man roster and practice squad entering Week 6.

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Falcons’ Raheem Morris provides injury updates, discusses pass rush

Raheem Morris provided injury updates, discussed Falcons’ lack of pass rush and praised rookie Ruke Orhorhoro’s debut

The Atlanta Falcons are 3-2 after the first five weeks of the season and despite a few concerning areas, the future of this team looks bright under head coach Raheem Morris’ leadership.

Morris met with reporters on Wednesday, providing injury updates, praising rookie defensive lineman Ruke Orhorhoro and addressing the team’s pass-rush woes. The Falcons head coach said linebacker Troy Andersen is still banged up and is considered day-to-day entering Week 6.

Nate Landman has been designated to return from the injured reserve list and will practice with the team on Wednesday. As for nickel cornerback Dee Alford, he’s still in the NFL’s concussion protocol.

Reporters asked Morris about the team’s lack of defensive pass rush through the first five weeks (Falcons rank dead last in total pressures). “You can’t build it all in the same day,” Morris explained. “That’s definitely something we’re focusing on to improve.”

Atlanta has just five sacks this season but Morris attributed some of that to the quality of opponents the team has faced thus far.

“We’ve played in some really tough games. Not to make excuses. But that’s something we need to improve.”

Speaking of the pass rush, second-round pick Ruke Orhorhoro was active for the first time this season against the Buccaneers. Morris was pleased with his rookie defensive lineman’s NFL debut.

“Really fired for him to get out there and get his first reps,” Morris said of Orhorhoro. “Had a lot of production himself.”

In Week 6, the Falcons will play their second road game of the year against the Carolina Panthers. Despite giving rookie quarterback Bryce Young mop-up duty in the Panthers’ Week 5 loss to the Bears, the team will start veteran Andy Dalton against Atlanta in Week 6.

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Falcons rule out key defender for TNF matchup vs. Buccaneers

The Falcons have ruled out linebacker Troy Andersen for Thursday night’s game against the Buccaneers

The Atlanta Falcons have officially ruled out linebacker Troy Andersen for Thursday night’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccanneers. Andersen took home the NFC Defensive Player of the Week award after his breakout performance against the Saints but suffered a knee injury during the fourth quarter.

Head coach Raheem Morris said rookie linebacker JD Bertrand will get the start in Week 5. Bertrand was selected in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL draft out of Notre Dame and is the only Falcons rookie to see any reps this season.

While Andersen is a big loss, Morris expressed confidence in Bertrand’s ability to step in. “I have very few or limited (concerns) when it comes to JD,” the Falcons head coach told reporters during his Wednesday afternoon press conference.

The Falcons are favored by 1.5 points over the banged-up Buccaneers. On Wednesday, Tampa Bay ruled out five players, including safety Antoine Winfield and offensive tackle Luke Goedeke. Check back at 4 p.m. ET for Atlanta’s final Week 5 injury report.

Thursday night’s game starts at 8:15 p.m. ET and will be broadcast exclusively on Amazon Prime.

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Falcons linebacker named NFC Defensive Player of the Week

Falcons linebacker Troy Andersen wins NFC Defensive Player of the Week after dominant performance vs. Saints

Atlanta Falcons linebacker Troy Andersen has been named NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his dominant performance in Sunday’s 26-24 win over the New Orleans Saints.

Andersen had arguably the best game of his young career, racking up 17 tackles (10 solo), an interception and a touchdown to help the team escape with a two-point victory. The third-year linebacker’s pick-six was an impressive display of his instincts and athleticism.

Matthew Judon tipped a first-half Derek Carr pass into the air and Andersen came down with it before outrunning every Saints player in sight for the score.

While Andersen’s Week 4 performance was a great sign for the former second-round pick, his status for Thursday night’s game against the Buccaneers is in doubt. Andersen suffered a knee injury in the fourth quarter and did not return.

The Falcons opted not to place the young linebacker on the injured reserve list, but he has yet to practice this week. If Andersen can’t play on Thursday, rookie fifth-round pick JD Bertrand will get the start.

Thus far in 2024, Andersen has 44 tackles (26 solo), one interception and one defensive touchdown.

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Raheem Morris provides injury update on Falcons LB Troy Andersen

Falcons head coach Raheem Morris provides injury update on linebacker Troy Andersen

The Atlanta Falcons suffered another injury at the inside linebacker position during Sunday’s 26-24 win over the New Orleans Saints. Third-year linebacker Troy Andersen Saints left the game in the fourth quarter due to a knee injury and did not return.

Andersen was arguably the team’s MVP of Week 4, recording 17 tackles (10 solo) and his first-career interception and touchdown. Falcons head coach Raheem Morris provided an update on Andersen’s status on Monday. “He’s hurting pretty good,” Morris told local reporters.

 

Morris said the team would continue to monitor Andersen’s status entering Thursday night’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. On the bright side, Andersen avoided landing on the injured reserve list like fellow linebacker Nate Landman.

On Monday, the Falcons signed veteran linebacker Rashaan Evans to their 16-man practice squad. Evans played for Atlanta in 2022, starting all 17 games and leading the team with 159 tackles (86 solo), two fumble recoveries, two sacks and one forced fumble.

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Derek Carr threw his third career pick-six against the Falcons

Troy Andersen returned a Derek Carr interception for a touchdown. This was Carr’s third career pick-six vs. the Falcons, and his second with the Saints:


The Atlanta Falcons scored their second non-offensive touchdown of the first half courtesy of Derek Carr pick six. The Saints were looking for screen pass, but linebacker Matthew Judon deflected the ball into the air. After lingering in the air, linebacker Troy Andersen brought the ball in and returned it for a touchdown.

Unfortunately, this isn’t an uncommon occurrence for Carr. In his career, Carr has thrown three pick sixes to Atlanta in his career. He’s only faced the Falcons five times through his now 12 seasons in the NFL.

It’s the second time Carr has thrown an interception that was returned for a touchdown by the Falcons with the Saints. Last year, Carr had a memorable moment where he congratulated Jessie Bates III for making a good play.

It was an odd moment, but it’s one he likely wouldn’t repeat again. This one was a bit more of an unfortunate play than last year’s interception.

Overall, Carr has thrown the third-most pick-sixes in the NFL among active quarterbacks.

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Falcons HC calls Troy Andersen ‘a starting linebacker’ in the NFL

Falcons head coach Raheem Morris on Troy Andersen: “He’s a starting linebacker in the National Football League”

In 2022, the Atlanta Falcons used a second-round pick to draft inside linebacker Troy Andersen. While the former Montana State standout turned in a promising rookie season, his 2023 campaign was cut short due to injury after just two games.

Andersen’s absence allowed backup linebacker Nate Landman a chance to shine last season. Landman, an undrafted free agent out of Colorado who also joined the team in 2022, thrived with 110 combined tackles, three forced fumbles, two sacks and one interception in 14 starts alongside Kaden Elliss.

With Elliss and Landman returning, fans have wondered what Andersen’s role will be on defense this season. The team will run 3-4 base under new defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake and Atlanta has a bit of a log-jam at inside linebacker.

Falcons head coach Raheem Morris praised Andersen before the team’s open practice Friday evening. “He’s a starting linebacker in the National Football League,” said Morris. “The thing is, we just have three of them.”

It’s never a bad thing to have multiple talented players at the same position. Although, it will be interesting to see how much Andersen gets on the field and where he lines up specifically.

The former second-round pick is a hyper-athletic talent with the versatility to line up at different spots. Even if Andersen doesn’t end up with the starting job this season, he’ll still have a role on this Falcons defense and contribute on special teams.

Plus, it never hurts to have depth at a violent position like linebacker. Andersen knows this as well as anyone.

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Falcons LB Troy Andersen designated to return from IR

Falcons LB Troy Andersen designated to return from injured reserve list

The Atlanta Falcons have designated second-year linebacker Troy Andersen to return from the injured reserve list, the team announced on Wednesday afternoon.

Andersen was placed on IR due to a shoulder injury following Atlanta’s Week 3 loss to the Detroit Lions. The former second-round pick has 21 days to be activated or he must go back on the injured reserve list.

Nate Landman has played extremely well in place of Andersen, so it will be interesting to see what the team does when both linebackers are healthy.

The Falcons take on the New Orleans Saints this weekend in a game that could potentially decide the NFC South. If the Buccaneers lose to the Panthers in Week 18, the winner of the Falcons-Saints game wins the division.

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Falcons LB Troy Andersen questionable to return vs. Steelers

Falcons rookie LB Troy Andersen injured his ankle in the third quarter against the Steelers and is questionable to return

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Falcons rookie linebacker Troy Andersen injured his ankle in the third quarter of Sunday’s game against the Steelers and is questionable to return, according to team reporter Tori McElhaney.

Andersen has been a valuable rotational linebacker and special teams contributor this season. The Falcons selected him in the second round of the 2022 NFL draft out of Montana State.

Atlanta trails Pittsburgh, 19-13, in the final minute of the third quarter.

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Falcons sign rookies Troy Anderson and DeAngelo Malone

Falcons linebacker Troy Andersen and EDGE DeAngelo Malone signed their rookie deals on Wednesday.

The Atlanta Falcons inked two members of their 2022 draft class on Wednesday, signing second-round pick Troy Andersen and third-rounder DeAngelo Malone to their rookie deals.

Andersen, a versatile and athletic inside linebacker out of Montana State, should immediately compete for reps on the Falcons defense. Malone is a slightly more raw prospect, but the Western Kentucky standout’s pass-rush ability will make him hard to keep off the field this season.

The Falcons didn’t re-sign Dante Fowler or Steven Means — last year’s starting outside linebackers — so Malone has a chance to make an impact as a rookie. There’s a bit of a logjam at inside linebacker, though.

Despite letting Foye Oluokun walk in free agency, the team signed Rashaan Evans, Nick Kwiatkoski and drafted Andersen. Then there’s Deion Jones, Atlanta’s highest-paid player ($20 million cap hit in 2022).

As for the other rookies, Drake London, Tyler Allgeier, John FitzPatrick and Justin Shaffer have all signed their rookie deals. The team still must sign OLB Arnold Ebiketie and quarterback Desmond Ridder.

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