Falcons vs. Vikings Injury Report – Week 9, 2023
NOVEMBER 1, 2023 • DATA SKRIVE
For now, Falcons shift to Taylor Heinicke over Desmond Ridder as starting QB
With four losses in the past six games, the Falcons are making a change at QB, but coach Arthur Smith said it's still a fluid situation.NOVEMBER 1, 2023
Arthur Smith discusses trades, injuries, and starting Taylor Heinicke for Vikings vs. Falcons game
NOVEMBER 1, 2023 • YOUTUBE
Falcons vs. Vikings Prediction, Odds, Picks - Nov 5
Preview the week 9 matchup between the Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota Vikings with predictions, odds, over/under, spread, betting lines and m...NOVEMBER 1, 2023 • DATA SKRIVE
Falcons bench Desmond Ridder, announce Taylor Heinicke as starter against Vikings
Taylor Heinicke has moved past turnover-plagued Desmond Ridder as the Atlanta Falcons’ starting quarterback for Sunday’s game against the Minnesota VikingsNOVEMBER 1, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Sitting out Wednesday's practice London (groin) won't participate in Wednesday's practice, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.
Impact London exited Sunday's loss to the Titans with a groin injury, and despite being labeled as questionable to return to the game, he stayed on the sideline for the rest of the day. Head coach Arthur Smith was non-committal about London's chances of playing Week 9 versus the Vikings, and Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com relays that the second-year wideout is considered day-to-day. If London manages to gain clearance for Sunday's game against the Vikings, he will have to link up with Taylor Heinicke under center, as usual starter Desmond Ridder is expected to operate as the No. 2 quarterback.
NOVEMBER 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Benched for Week 9 Head coach Arthur Smith said Wednesday that Ridder has been medically cleared but will serve as the top backup to Taylor Heinicke in Sunday's game versus the Vikings, Tori McElhane...
Impact Smith noted that the decision to start Heinicke over Ridder for Week 9 was made with the short-term in mind. Ridder was forced out of last week's loss to the Titans in the first half and evaluated for a concussion, and even after he was medically cleared to return, the Falcons stuck with Heinicke at quarterback to finish out the contest. Smith is seemingly still taking a cautious approach to Ridder's health, though the Falcons will allow him to suit up Sunday in a backup capacity. Even if the starting decision was made solely with Sunday's game against Minnesota in mind, if Heinicke is able to show well, he could end up sticking as the team's No. 1 signal-caller going forward. Through eight games, Ridder has turned the ball over 12 times (six interceptions, six lost fumbles) and compiled just nine touchdowns (six passing, three rushing).
NOVEMBER 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Named Week 9 starter Falcons head coach Arthur Smith said that Heinicke will start Sunday's game against the Vikings, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Impact Heinicke will pick up his first start of the season, despite incumbent Desmond Ridder having been cleared to serve as Atlanta's backup after passing all concussion tests following his removal from this past Sunday's loss to the Titans, per Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site. While coming on in relief of Ridder in Week 8, Heinicke played the final two quarters and completed 12 of 21 passes for 175 yards and one touchdown. Smith noted that the quarterback change is a short-term decision focused on the Minnesota matchup, but if Heinicke can move this offense efficiently on Sunday, he could keep a grip on the starting gig over Ridder, who had turned the ball over 12 times (six interceptions, six lost fumbles) through Atlanta's first eight games.
NOVEMBER 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Falcons vs Titans Recap | The Mike Vrabel Show
NOVEMBER 1, 2023 • YOUTUBE
Ranking NFL's top 5 throwback jerseys in 2023: From Kelly Green Eagles to the Oilers
Throwbacks are all the rage in the NFL this season. Here's our take on the top five old-time uniforms so far this year.NOVEMBER 1, 2023
Logs sack in loss Ebiketie logged two tackles (two solo), including a sack, in Atlanta's 28-23 loss to the Titans on Sunday.
Impact Ebiketie was only one of two Atlanta defenders to tally a sack, something the 24-year-old has now done twice in the past three weeks. Ebiketie's 2.5 sacks already match his season total from a year ago, and he'll look to add to those numbers this week versus the Vikings.
OCTOBER 31, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Logs sack in loss Ebiketie logged two tackles (two solo), including a sack, in Atlanta's 28-23 loss to the Titans on Sunday.
Impact Ebiketie was only one of two Atlanta defenders to tally a sack, something the 24-year-old has now done twice in the past three weeks. Ebiketie's 2.5 sacks already match his season total from a year ago, and he'll look to add to those numbers this week versus the Vikings.
OCTOBER 31, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Signs with Atlanta Bell was signed off of the Bears' practice squad by the Falcons on Tuesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Impact Bell will head to Atlanta after spending the entirety of the season to this point with Chicago's practice unit. The nose tackle has yet to make his professional debut after being picked in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft by the Bears.
OCTOBER 31, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Moved on IR The Falcons placed Jarrett (knee) on injured reserve Tuesday, Terrin Waack of the team's official site reports.
Impact Head coach Arthur Smith confirmed Monday that Jarrett tore his ACL in the first quarter of the Falcons' Week 8 loss to the Titans on Sunday. Jarrett had only missed three games in his career since being taken by the Falcons in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL Draft and started in 120 of 135 appearances. He finishes the 2023 season with 23 tackles (nine solo), including 1.5 sacks, in eight games.
OCTOBER 31, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
2023 NFL trade deadline tracker: 49ers get Chase Young; Bills bolster secondary
The NFL trade deadline is at 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday. Here are all the latest moves ahead of the deadline!OCTOBER 31, 2023
Sent to Atlanta The Eagles traded Street and a 2025 seventh-round pick to the Falcons in exchange for a 2024 six-round pick Monday, Terrin Waack of the team's official site reports.
Impact Atlanta made the move after defensive tackle Grady Jarrett sustained a season-ending ACL tear in Sunday's 28-23 loss to the Titans. Street signed a one-year, $1.28 million contract with the Eagles in free agency and filled in as a depth edge rusher behind Josh Sweat and Brandon Graham. Street -- who has four tackles in eight games this season -- should find more opportunities for defensive snaps for the Falcons with Jarrett out for the season.
OCTOBER 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Makes eight tackles Sunday Landman posted eight tackles (four solo) during Sunday's 28-23 loss to the Titans.
Impact Since taking over for Troy Andersen, Landman has recorded 45 tackles (25 solo) across five games. Landman hasn't made any splash plays, but his tackling prowess gives him a high fantasy floor moving forward.
OCTOBER 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Continues solid play Elliss notched eight tackles (six solo) during Sunday's 28-23 loss to the Titans.
Impact Elliss recorded at least eight tackles for the third time this season. Across eight appearances, he's totaled 53 tackles and one sack. He's well on his way to surpassing his career high in tackles (78) during his first season with Atlanta, but he hasn't been as impactful as a pass rusher as he was with New Orleans last year, when he posted seven sacks.
OCTOBER 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Another solid game Grant recorded nine tackles (six solo) and one pass defense during Sunday's 28-23 loss to the Titans.
Impact Grant has recorded at least eight tackles and one pass defense in back-to-back games. He has 52 total stops through eight appearances, putting him on pace for a second consecutive 100-tackle season.
OCTOBER 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Makes five kicks in loss Koo made all three of his field-goal attempts and both of his extra-point tries during Sunday's 28-23 loss to the Titans.
Impact Koo was really the only bright spot for Atlanta in the first half. He connected on a trio of field-goal attempts, including a 49-yarder, to keep the Falcons in the game. It was the third time this season that Koo has made at least three field goals, and he's now 16-for-17 on the season.
OCTOBER 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Secures one reception Smith caught his only target for 13 yards and failed to complete his lone pass attempt during Sunday's 28-23 loss to the Titans.
Impact Smith (48 offensive snaps) was on the field more than any of the Falcons' other tight ends, including Kyle Pitts (41). However, the veteran saw just one target, his fewest since the season opener. Head coach Arthur Smith did dial up a trick play for Smith in the red zone Sunday, but it wasn't successful. From Weeks 2-6, Smith caught 25 passes (on 32 targets) for 282 yards and a touchdown, but since then, he's secured just four passes for 40 yards. Given Smith is still garnering a lot of playing time, he should be on fantasy radars, but at this point, it's difficult to trust any Falcons' skill players on a weekly basis.
OCTOBER 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Another three-catch performance Pitts caught three of five targets for 35 yards during Sunday's 28-23 loss to the Titans.
Impact For a second, Pitts appeared to be turning a corner, totaling 11 receptions (on 17 targets) for 130 yards and a score across Weeks 5 and 6. Since then, he's accumulated just six catches (on 10 targets) for 82 yards. On Sunday, Pitts once again saw fewer offensive snaps (41) than Jonnu Smith (48), and as long as the two are splitting the tight-end workload, it'll be tough for Pitts to be a must-start option in fantasy on a weekly basis.
OCTOBER 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Plays 47 offensive snaps Jefferson caught three of five targets for 24 yards during Sunday's 28-23 loss to the Titans.
Impact Drake London (groin) leaving in the third quarter allowed Jefferson to handle his most usage since joining the Falcons. It also appears Jefferson is eating away at Mack Hollins' playing time, as the latter played a season-low 14 offensive snaps. If London is sidelined moving forward, Jefferson could emerge as Atlanta's top wide receiver, but expectations should be tempered, given pass catchers like London and Kyle Pitts have struggled to be consistent fantasy producers in this offense.
OCTOBER 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Season-low 14 offensive snaps Hollins caught two of three targets for 27 yards during Sunday's 28-23 loss to the Titans.
Impact Hollins played at least 65 percent of the team's offensive snaps in each of the first four weeks, including a season-high 79 percent against the Jaguars in Week 4. However, his playing time has dropped since, culminating in a season-low 14 offensive snaps versus Tennessee. The wideout actually played more on special teams (25 snaps) than he did on offense Sunday. This is especially concerning given Drake London (groin) left the game in the third quarter and never returned. Hollins doesn't need to be on fantasy radars in standard leagues until he proves otherwise.
OCTOBER 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Falcons appear to have a QB controversy after Heinicke shines, Ridder struggles
The Atlanta Falcons insist they don’t have a quarterback controversyOCTOBER 30, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
