FOYESADE OLUOKUN NEWS

Surging Falcons to test Saints while Brees is injured

Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan has passed for 300 yards in three of his past four games as he comes up against a Saints defense that has allowed only one touchdown in New Orleans' p...

NOVEMBER 19, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Falcons need pass-rush boost with Fowler on COVID-19 list

The Atlanta Falcons are looking for other ways to boost their struggling pass rush as they plan to be without defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. for another week

NOVEMBER 16, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Notches sack, huge tackle total Oluokun tallied 10 total tackles, one pass deflection and a sack during Sunday's 34-27 win against the Broncos.

Impact Deion Jones (six tackles) was the only Falcon with more than half of Oluokun's tackle total, though the Yale product also made his presence felt in rushing the passer. Oluokun logged three additional QB hits on top of his second-quarter sack Sunday, after he had failed to notch a single mark in either category through his first seven appearances of 2020. The 25-year-old is liable to continue posting occasional sack numbers, as his 31 blitzes so far this season are more than he had over his first 32 appearances combined between 2018 and 2019 (25).

NOVEMBER 9, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Gets two fourth-down stops in win Oluokun collected five total tackles, including a half tackle for loss during Thursday's 25-17 win against the Panthers.

Impact Oluokun was able to chase Teddy Bridgewater to the edge and usher him out of bounds to force a turnover on downs at the 4:01 mark of the second quarter. On Carolina's opening offensive drive of the second half, Oluokun also teamed with Grady Jarrett to bring down Mike Davis for a one-yard loss on another fourth-down try. Oluokun, a Yale product, has been one of the breakouts of Atlanta's defense this year, ascending into a starting role with the offseason departure of De'Vondre Campbell to Arizona. So far Oluokun is the team's leading tackler (54) through eight weeks of play.

OCTOBER 31, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Stacks up nine stops Oluokun posted nine tackles (four solo) in Sunday's 23-22 loss to the Lions.

Impact It was another fantastic effort by the third-year linebacker out of Yale, as he finished second only to Keanu Neal in tackles and now has 49 stops this season. Oluokun's playing every defensive snap, too, so he should easily surpass the 100-tackle threshold as long as he stays healthy.

OCTOBER 26, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Picks off Kirk Cousins Oluokun collected six tackles, one tackle for loss and one interception during Sunday's 40-23 win against Minnesota.

Impact Oluokun corralled the third of Kirk Cousins' three first-half interceptions, returning the ball 14 yards into Vikings territory to help set up a successful Younghoe Koo field-goal attempt nine plays later. The Yale product has been a difference-maker in his five appearances for Atlanta this season, as he is now tied with Deion Jones for a team-high 40 tackles. He also has four forced takeaways on the year, as the Falcons prepare to face a Lions offense Week 7 that committed one turnover during its 34-16 trouncing of Jacksonville on Sunday.

OCTOBER 19, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Falcons respond to Quinn firing with 40-23 win vs. Vikings

Julio Jones returned from injury to catch two of Matt Ryan’s four touchdown passes, as the Atlanta Falcons beat the Minnesota Vikings 40-23 for their first victory of the season

OCTOBER 18, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Jones returns to practice as Falcons prepare to face Vikings

Seven-time Pro Bowl receiver Julio Jones returned to practice as a limited participant and hopes to play Sunday when the Atlanta Falcons visit the Minnesota Vikings

OCTOBER 16, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Ready to go Oluokun (knee) does not carry an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Vikings.

Impact Oluokun has regularly had his practice reps capped while dealing with injuries this season, and a knee issue kept him to three limited sessions this week. Nonetheless, Oluokun looks set to draw his usual start at linebacker in Minnesota.

OCTOBER 16, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Limited during Wednesday's session Oluokun (knee) was limited in Wednesday's practice, Will McFadden of the Falcons' official site reports.

Impact Oluokun has been a regular on the Falcons' injury report this season, as he's dealt with hamstring and oblique injuries. This appears to be a new issue, but it's good news that he's still on the field ahead of Sunday's matchup versus the Vikings. It'd be a major hit if he was forced to miss any time, as the third-year linebacker has piled up 34 tackles and three forced fumbles over four games.

OCTOBER 14, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Tackling machine in Week 5 loss Oluokun racked up 14 tackles, including one tackle for loss during Sunday's 23-16 loss to the Panthers.

Impact The third-year linebacker battled through an oblique injury during the practice week to pick up his fourth game appearance of 2020, subsequently obliterating his previous single-game high of 10 tackles during the divisional defeat. Oluokun has transformed into a full-time starter via a combination of his development and the offseason departure of De'Vondre Campbell to Arizona. So far this year, the Yale product has recorded at least six tackles in every game that he's been active.

OCTOBER 12, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Back to full practice Oluokun (oblique) was a full participant during Thursday's practice, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com reports.

Impact This is good news for the Yale product, as he was back in full practice status after he was limited in Wednesday's session. Now that Oluokun appears fully healthy, he'll assume his usual starting role as one of the team's outside linebackers.

OCTOBER 8, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up oblique injury Oluokon (oblique) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Will McFadden of the Falcons' official site reports.

Impact Oluokon joins Atlanta's extensive injury report after racking up eight tackles in Monday's loss to Green Bay. He was questionable heading into that game due to a hamstring injury, and while the linebacker is generally banged up, he's likely just getting a respite Wednesday after Monday's busy outing.

OCTOBER 7, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Eight tackles Monday Oluokun recorded eight tackles (five solo) across 61 defensive snaps in Monday's loss to the Packers.

Impact Oluokun was questionable heading into the contest as he was dealing with a hamstring injury, but he didn't appear to be slowed down during the game. He tied for the team-lead in tackles and played in 97 percent of the defensive snaps.

OCTOBER 7, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Cleared for Monday Oluokun (hamstring) will play in Monday's game versus the Packers, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Oluokun was a limited practice participant all week, but he's made enough progress to suit up in Monday's game. The Yale product has recorded 12 tackles (nine solo) and three forced fumbles over just 64 defensive snaps this season, and he's expected to start at outside linebacker Monday.

OCTOBER 3, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Falcons rule out Koo, McKinley, Allen and Neal vs Packers

The Atlanta Falcons will be without kicker Younghoe Koo, defensive end Takk McKinley and safeties Ricardo Allen and Keanu Neal for Monday night’s game at Green Bay

OCTOBER 3, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Restricted in practice Oluokun (hamstring) was limited during Friday's practice session, Jason Butt of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Impact Oluokun exited during the second quarter of Atlanta's Week 2 loss to the Cowboys because of cramping, and he ultimately proved unable to return to that contest. Prior to last week's loss to the Bears, Oluokun was capable of logging consecutive limited sessions late in the week, but he was deemed inactive for the game. His status again remains up in the air for an upcoming Monday night showdown against the Packers, but he will be afforded the extra day, at least, to heal.

OCTOBER 3, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Falcons face Packers with five starters hurting on defense

The Atlanta Falcons’ banged-up defense will limp into Lambeau Field on Monday night with five starters ailing on a unit that’s giving up an NFL-worst 36 points per game

OCTOBER 2, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Where do Atlanta Falcons go after another epic meltdown?

The Atlanta Falcons have returned to work, trying to convey a sense of normalcy in a season that has quickly flown off the rails

SEPTEMBER 28, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Another Falcons collapse: Foles' 3 TDs lead 30-26 Bears win

The Atlanta Falcons have suffered another historic collapse

SEPTEMBER 27, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Falcons missing 6 starters vs Bears, including Julio Jones

The winless Atlanta Falcons are missing six starters for their game against the Chicago Bears, including star receiver Julio Jones

SEPTEMBER 27, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Lions WR Golladay makes 2020 debut; Bucs' Godwin also active

Detroit’s Kenny Golladay and Tampa Bay’s Chris Godwin are a couple of noteworthy receivers returning to action in Sunday’s late games

SEPTEMBER 27, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Out against Bears Oluokun (hamstring) has been listed among Atlanta's inactive players for Sunday's showdown with the Bears.

Impact The 25-year-old linebacker made an incredible impact in the early going against Dallas last week, forcing three fumbles on 18 defensive snaps. Oluokun was forced to exit the game due to cramping, but limited practice sessions Thursday and Friday provided optimism that he may be able to play against Chicago. With this update on his status, the Falcons are left thin at linebacker, and will now have to rely on fourth-round rookie Mykal Walker in a more integral role.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Falcons' Julio Jones still has chance to play against Bears

The Atlanta Falcons’ secondary will be without safety Ricardo Allen and cornerback Kendall Sheffield in Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears

SEPTEMBER 25, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Deemed questionable for Sunday Oluokun (hamstring) is questionable for Sunday's game versus the Bears, Will McFadden of the Falcons' official site reports.

Impact Oluokun logged limited practices Thursday and Friday, so he could miss the first game of his NFL career. The third-year pro exited early in Week 2 after logging 18 defensive snaps, six tackles and three forced fumbles, but he'll likely handle a full workload if he's healthy. If he's forced to sit out, however, expect LaRoy Reynolds to start at outside linebacker.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2020 • ROTOWIRE