HAYDEN HURST NEWS

Catches touchdown in win Hurst caught both of his targets for 21 yards and a touchdown during Sunday's 20-16 win over the Lions.

Impact Hurst caught his first pass of the game on the last play of the first quarter, but he wasn't targeted again until he caught the go-ahead, 12-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter, which ultimately turned out to be the game winner. Hurst has now caught at least one pass in each of his last three games, including two touchdown grabs. Matt Ryan's reliance on tight ends makes Hurst worthy of fantasy consideration, but barring an occasional touchdown, his fantasy production is likely diminished by the standout play from Kyle Pitts.

DECEMBER 27, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Oluokun's last-minute pick saves Falcons' win over Lions

Matt Ryan threw a tie-breaking 12-yard touchdown pass to Hayden Hurst early in the fourth quarter and the Atlanta Falcons held on late to beat the Detroit Lions 20-16 to preserve t...

DECEMBER 26, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Sideline Access: Hayden Hurst touchdown Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan throws a 12 yard pass to tight end Hayden Hurst for a touchdown against the Detroit Lions.

DECEMBER 26, 2021 • ATLANTAFALCONS.COM

Highlight: Matt Ryan's incredibly accurate 12-yard pass hits Hayden Hurst for a touchdown Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan's incredibly accurate 12-yard TD pass hits tight end Hayden Hurst.

DECEMBER 26, 2021 • ATLANTAFALCONS.COM

Hayden Hurst on trash talk and the best moment of his career In his second year in Atlanta, Hurst has made his presence felt on and off the field.

DECEMBER 23, 2021 • ATLANTAFALCONS.COM

Minimal role in passing attack Hurst caught both of his targets for six yards during Sunday's 31-13 loss to the 49ers.

Impact Hurst battled an illness in practice leading up to Week 15, but he was able to play 25 of the Falcons' 60 offensive snaps. However, his role in the passing attack remained minimal. With Kyle Pitts and Russell Gage absorbing the majority of Matt Ryan's attention, it will be difficult for another viable fantasy to emerge from the Falcons' struggling offense.

DECEMBER 20, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Logs full practice Thursday Hurst (illness) practiced in full Thursday.

Impact One day removed from sitting out due to an illness, Hurst returned and handled every rep thrown his way. Playing behind rookie standout Kyle Pitts this season, Hurst has accrued a 21-161-2 line on 26 targets in 10 appearances.

DECEMBER 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Under the weather Hurst didn't practice Wednesday due to an illness.

Impact Assuming his ailment isn't related to COVID-19, Hurst should have a good chance at regaining health ahead of Sunday's game against the 49ers. Hurst scored his second touchdown of the season in a Week 14 win over Carolina, but that came on his only target all game, while top tight end Kyle Pitts hauled in five passes for 61 yards.

DECEMBER 15, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Returns with touchdown Hurst caught his only target for a three-yard touchdown during Sunday's 29-21 win over the Panthers.

Impact Hurst returned from a three-game absence to catch his second touchdown of the season. Before the ankle injury, Hurst recorded 20 receptions on 25 targets for 158 yards and a touchdown through nine games. Matt Ryan's reliance on checkdowns to running backs and tight ends makes the 2018 first-round pick an interesting option, but the emergence of Kyle Pitts will likely diminish Hurst's fantasy potential.

DECEMBER 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Ryan, Falcons stay hot on the road, beat Panthers 29-21

Matt Ryan threw for 190 yards and a touchdown, Mykal Walker returned an interception of Cam Newton 66 yards for a touchdown and the Atlanta Falcons continued to play well on the ro...

DECEMBER 12, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Highlight: Ryan finds a WIDE open Hurst in the end zone with play-action pass Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan finds a WIDE open tight end Hayden Hurst in the end zone with play-action pass against the Carolina Pa...

DECEMBER 12, 2021 • ATLANTAFALCONS.COM

Sideline Access: Hayden Hurst touchdown Atlanta Falcons tight end Hayden Hurst catches a pass from Matt Ryan for a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers.

DECEMBER 12, 2021 • ATLANTAFALCONS.COM

Returns to active roster Hurst (ankle) was activated from injured reserve Saturday.

Impact Hurst missed the Falcons' last three games while on injured reserve and should provide a boost behind starting tight end Kyle Pitts. Hurst recorded 20 receptions on 25 targets for 158 yards and a touchdown through the first nine games for Atlanta. He should be a reliable safety blanket for quarterback Matt Ryan this Sunday as the Falcons go up against a Carolina defense that has allowed the second-fewest passing yards-per-game (176.7) and recorded the fourth-most sacks (32) in the NFL this season.

DECEMBER 11, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Back at practice Atlanta designated Hurst (ankle) for return from injured reserve Monday, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.

Impact The transaction opens up a 21-day window for the Falcons to evaluate Hurst in practice, but Atlanta's decision to waive reserve tight end Parker Hesse on Monday is a strong hint that the Falcons are expecting Hurst to rejoin the 53-man roster in advance of their Week 14 game in Carolina. Before missing Atlanta's last three contests with the ankle injury, Hurst had suited up in each of the team's first nine games of the season, recording 20 receptions for 158 yards and a touchdown on 25 targets.

DECEMBER 6, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Falcons roster moves: Making room for Hayden Hurst's possible return, a punter emerges Arthur Smith confirmed on Monday that Hayden Hurst would return to practice this week

DECEMBER 6, 2021 • ATLANTAFALCONS.COM

Falcons health checkup: Updating the status of Hayden Hurst, Calvin Ridley and others Arthur Smith said the Falcons will continue to monitor rookies Richie Grant and Ade Ogundeji

DECEMBER 6, 2021 • ATLANTAFALCONS.COM

Nearing return to practice Coach Arthur Smith indicated Monday that Hurst (ankle) could return to practice this week, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Hurst has been on injured reserve for each of the last three games, but he's now back at the team facility. If the 28-year-old ultimately is able to resume practicing this week, he'll have a chance to play Sunday against Carolina.

DECEMBER 6, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Latest demoralizing loss exposes Falcons' depth issues

Only two weeks ago the Atlanta Falcons were a

NOVEMBER 19, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Falcons' slumping offense handed first shutout in 6 years

Atlanta’s first shutout loss in six years was only the capper on a miserable week for the Falcons’ offense

NOVEMBER 19, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Falcons' thin offense has Patterson inactive vs. Patriots

Running back Cordarrelle Patterson is inactive for Atlanta against the New England Patriots, taking one of the Falcons’ most productive players away from an already depleted offens...

NOVEMBER 19, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Falcons place TE Hurst, LB Bates on IR before game vs Pats

The Atlanta Falcons have made several roster moves ahead of their game against the New England Patriots

NOVEMBER 18, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Shifts to IR The Falcons placed Hurst (ankle) on injured reserve Thursday, Tori McElhaney of the team's official site reports.

Impact The Falcons had already ruled Hurst out ahead of Thursday's game against the Buccaneers after the ankle issue rendered him a non-participant in practices Monday through Wednesday. After further evaluation of the tight end, however, Atlanta determined it was best to shut Hurst down for two more games beyond Thursday. The blocking-oriented Lee Smith should step in as the No. 2 tight end behind starter and pass-catching specialist Kyle Pitts.

NOVEMBER 18, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Won't play Thursday Hurst (ankle) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against New England, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Hurst has been more active than the typical No. 2 TE with 25 targets in nine games, but it hasn't been nearly enough for fantasy relevance in most formats. His absence Thursday could free up some extra snaps for blocking specialist Lee Smith and some of the team's depth wide receivers, not to mention the possibility of top TE Kyle Pitts picking up a bit of extra work.

NOVEMBER 17, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Streaking Patriots look for 5th straight win vs Falcons

In a rematch of the 2017 Super Bowl, the New England Patriots will go for their fifth straight victory when they visit the Atlanta Falcons in a prime-time game Thursday

NOVEMBER 17, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Still not practicing Hurst (ankle) didn't practice Tuesday.

Impact Hurst has taken a backseat to rookie tight end Kyle Pitts this season, seeing just 25 targets through nine games. In this past Sunday's loss at Dallas, Hurst was knocked from the contest with an ankle injury that hasn't allowed him to practice during Week 11 prep. With one more session remaining to prove his health before Thursday's game versus the Patriots, he seems to be trending in the wrong direction.

NOVEMBER 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE