Atlanta Falcons Rumors & News - Pro Football Rumors

The Falcons have placed Andy Levitre on injured reserve, according to a team announcement. Although league rules allow players to return from IR, this will be a season-ender for the starting left guard.

“After receiving the tests results on Andy’s injury from Sunday’s game, it has been determined that he will miss the remainder of the season with a triceps injury,” said Falcons coach Dan Quinn in a statement. “Andy worked extremely hard to get back on the field after a similar injury last year, and there is no doubt his leadership will continue to be felt this year. We have a ton of respect for Andy and what he stands for, and what he means to our team.”

The injury forced Levitre out of the team’s Week 2 win over the Panthers and tests later confirmed the club’s worst fears. The 32-year-old will be out of action until at least next September and one can’t help but wonder whether he’ll consider retirement in the offseason.

To take Levitre’s place on the roster, the Falcons have signed guard Zac Kerin. Kerin, 27, has spent time with the Vikings, Lions and Giants and played in 16 games over his four-year career.

Wes Schweitzer replaced Levitre in Week 2 and figures to take over for him in the starting lineup.

0 comments Atlanta Falcons Transactions Andy Levitre Zac Kerin

Devonta Freeman To Miss Multiple Weeks With Knee Injury

By Andrew Ortenberg | at September 15, 2018 6:19 pm

Falcons running back Devonta Freeman’s knee injury was originally thought to not be serious. Then came the revelation that he would miss this week’s game against the Panthers.

Now there’s even more bad news for Freeman as he will miss between 2-4 weeks according to Adam Schefter of ESPN (Twitter link). Schefter said a Falcons official said it would be 2-3 weeks, but followed up in another tweet saying a different source said 3-4 weeks.

It’s another big blow to a Falcons team that has had brutal injury luck so far this season. Star safety Keanu Neal will miss the rest of the season due to a torn ACL suffered in Week 1 while every-down linebacker Deion Jones will miss at least the next eight weeks with a foot injury.

It’s the latest in a troubling string of injuries for Freeman, who has a history of knee injuries. Schefter reports the injury is a “contusion”, and Freeman has previously suffered PCL and MCL injuries to the same knee. Freeman signed a contract extension before the 2017 season that at the time made him the second highest paid running back in the league. Tevin Coleman should see a significantly increased workload in Freeman’s absence.

3 comments Atlanta Falcons Devonta Freeman

NFC Injury Notes: Rodgers, Falcons, Eagles

By Sam Robinson | at September 14, 2018 3:27 pm

Aaron Rodgers will enter Sunday with a questionable designation on the Packers‘ injury report. The two-time MVP can improve his chances of playing, obviously, by practicing Saturday — when the Packers do more than the typical walkthrough — but not doing so won’t prevent him from playing. Mike McCarthy said he’d have no issues deploying Rodgers even if he doesn’t practice all week, per Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com. The 13th-year Green Bay coach said his quarterback feels better than he did at the beginning of the week. Despite Rodgers’ performance on Sunday against the Bears and his history of playing through left knee pain, he’s not a lock to face the Vikings.

Here’s the latest from the NFC’s injury situations.

Another key Falcons cog won’t be available Sunday. After the losses of Keanu Neal and Deion Jones, Atlanta won’t have the services of starting running back Devonta Freeman. He’s been declared out due to the knee injury he suffered against the Eagles. Tevin Coleman will start. The Falcons have rookie Ito Smith and recently signed Brian Hill in place as backups.
Once again, the Giants won’t have their top pass rusher available. While the Giants are hoping to have Olivier Vernon in Week 3, per Paul Schwartz of the New York Post (on Twitter), his high ankle sprain will keep him out against the Cowboys.
Trai Turner‘s stay in Panthers concussion protocol will result in him missing this week’s game against the Falcons. He’s been declared out, putting Carolina down three starting offensive linemen — Turner and tackles Matt Kalil and Daryl Williams, both of whom residing on IR — going into its NFC South opener.
The already-banged-up Eagles didn’t come out of Week 1 unscathed. Darren Sproles will miss Sunday’s game against the Buccaneers. The 34-year-old passing-down back sustained a hamstring injury against the Falcons. He’ll join Carson Wentz and Alshon Jeffery among Philadelphia’s high-profile Week 2 absences.
Already without IR-stationed cornerback Vernon Hargreaves, the Bucs won’t have Brent Grimes available to cover Eagle wideouts, either. Tampa Bay used two second-round picks on corners, Carlton Davis and M.J. Stewart, and could see an extended glimpse of the rookies’ development to this point in their careers.
The Lions–49ers game will see the visitors without top guard T.J. Lang and the hosts missing deep threat Marquise Goodwin. Both players have been declared out. Kyle Shanahan said (via Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area, on Twitter) Dante Pettis will start in place of Goodwin.

0 comments Atlanta Falcons Carolina Panthers Detroit Lions Green Bay Packers New York Giants Philadelphia Eagles San Francisco 49ers Tampa Bay Buccaneers Aaron Rodgers Brent Grimes Darren Sproles Devonta Freeman Marquise Goodwin Olivier Vernon T.J. Lang Trai Turner

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/12/18

By Dallas Robinson | at September 12, 2018 7:51 pm

Today’s practice squad updates:

Atlanta Falcons

Signed: CB Prince Charles Iworah

Buffalo Bills

Signed: DT Kyle Peko

Denver Broncos

Signed: WR Isaiah McKenzie

Houston Texans

Signed: T David Sharpe

New England Patriots

Signed: RB Kenneth Farrow
Released: WR Jace Billingsley

San Francisco 49ers

Signed: WR Frank Stephens

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Signed: T Jarron Jones

1 comment Atlanta Falcons Buffalo Bills Denver Broncos Houston Texans New England Patriots San Francisco 49ers Tampa Bay Buccaneers Transactions David Sharpe Frank Stephens Isaiah McKenzie Jace Billingsley Jarron Jones Kenneth Farrow Kyle Peko Prince Charles Iworah

Falcons Place Deion Jones On IR

By Sam Robinson | at September 11, 2018 2:50 pm

Deion Jones‘ foot injury is serious enough an IR trip will occur. The Falcons placed their top linebacker on IR Tuesday, meaning he will be out until at least November.

The Falcons announced the move but also expect the third-year defender to return this season. However, a corrective procedure will be required for Jones, who joins Keanu Neal as Falcons starting defenders whose Week 1 injuries will result in IR trips.

“Following the game last Thursday, Deion reported soreness in his foot, so we sent him for further tests,” Dan Quinn said. “We got the results of those tests back today, and he unfortunately will require a procedure that will result in us having to place him on injured reserve. We are bummed for Deion, but we do expect to get him back at some point this season.”

Running back Brian Hill will take Jones’ place on Atlanta’s 53-man roster, with Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com reporting the Falcons will promote the Wyoming product. Devonta Freeman also left the Falcons’ Week 1 game with an injury, but he’s believed to have avoided a serious setback.

Jones and Neal were both 2017 Pro Bowlers and critical players to the Falcons’ cause of pushing for a Super Bowl appearance in their home stadium. Neal is out for the year, and Jones will be shelved for at least eight weeks.

Pro Football Focus’ No. 1 coverage linebacker last season, Jones intercepted a pass against the Eagles and made nine tackles. He made 138 stops last season. McClure notes outside linebacker Duke Riley could slide into Jones’ middle spot. The Falcons are thin at linebacker, having now only five healthy second-level defenders. They did sign former Broncos backup Corey Nelson, however, likely in preparation for a Jones absence. They may be on the lookout for more help at this spot as well, now that Jones will miss at least the first half of the season.

2 comments Atlanta Falcons Newsstand Transactions Deion Jones