ITO SMITH NEWS

Overshadows Gurley in second half Smith logged 42 rushing yards on 11 carries, adding a three-yard catch during Sunday's 20-17 loss to the Chargers.

Impact Smith overcame a neck injury that kept him limited for the first two sessions of the practice week to earn his 11th appearance of 2020. The Southern Mississippi product surpassed Todd Gurley for offensive opportunities as the game wore on, outpacing the three-time Pro Bowler by eight touches over the second half. With Atlanta sitting at 4-9 and Gurley set to become an unrestricted free agent following the season, it's not outside the realm of possibility that Smith sees a higher percentage of work over the final three weeks. The third-year back's 4.3 yards-per-carry average this season compares favorably to Gurley's 3.6 YPC clip.

DECEMBER 14, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Recovered from neck issue Smith (neck) doesn't have a designation on the final injury report for Sunday's game against the Chargers, William McFadden of the Falcons' official site reports.

Impact Smith is fine to play after a full practice Friday, but he probably won't see many touches now that Todd Gurley's knee is feeling better. Smith took 20 carries for 101 yards and a touchdown over the past two games, adding five catches for eight yards on seven targets. It's possible he works ahead of Brian Hill off the bench this week.

DECEMBER 11, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Stays limited Thursday Smith (neck) practiced in a limited fashion Thursday, Will McFadden of the Falcons' official site reports.

Impact Smith was evaluated for a head injury Week 13 against the Saints, but he ultimately was revealed to have a neck issue once the Falcons kicked off Week 14 prep. Limited both days so far this week, he'll look to increase his activity level at Friday's practice. Even if he doesn't, Smith still may be in line for a decreased workload Sunday against the Chargers with Todd Gurley (knee) slated for a larger role moving forward.

DECEMBER 10, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with neck injury Smith was limited by a neck injury at Wednesday's practice, Will McFadden of the Falcons' official site reports.

Impact During a Week 13 loss to the Saints, Smith was evaluated for a head injury, but fortunately for the running back he didn't enter the concussion protocol. Instead, he's tending to a neck issue. Smith has been used more often the last two games due to Todd Gurley's knee injury, which sidelined the latter Week 12 and limited him this past Sunday. With Gurley expected to handle more reps moving forward, Smith seems poised for a downturn in snaps, especially with a health concern of his own in tow.

DECEMBER 9, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Being checked for head injury Smith is being evaluated for a head injury and his return to Sunday's matchup against the Saints remains questionable, Jason Butt of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Impact Smith concluded the contest in a tie with Todd Gurley at a team-high eight carries, but his 4.5 yards-per-carry average was far more efficient than the three-time Pro Bowler's 2.0 YPC clip. The third-year back's status remains up in the air looking forward to a Week 14 showdown with the Chargers, but his stock is on the rise with back-to-back strong outings. He registered 12 carries for 65 yards and a touchdown last Sunday in a rout of the Raiders.

DECEMBER 6, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Saints go for their 2nd win in three weeks vs. Falcons

The first-place New Orleans Saints will go for their second win in three weeks over the Falcons when the NFC South rivals meet Sunday in Atlanta

DECEMBER 3, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

FANTASY PLAYS: Players to add include Fitzpatrick, Perriman

FANTASY PLAYS: Week 13 means the final regular-season game in most fantasy leagues, amplifying the value of a waiver wire that is filled with solid options to run with come fantasy...

DECEMBER 3, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Falcons OC Dirk Koetter comments on RB Ito Smith, matchup vs. Saints Koetter when asked about what he is looking for in his preparation for the Saints in Week 13.

DECEMBER 2, 2020 • USATODAY.COM

Falcons show plenty of pride after 0-5 start, coach change

After losing their first five games and firing the head coach, the Atlanta Falcons had every reason to throw in the towel on this season

NOVEMBER 30, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Strong running day against Raiders Smith registered 65 rushing yards and one touchdown on 12 carries, adding four receptions for 10 yards during Sunday's 43-6 win against Las Vegas.

Impact With Todd Gurley (knee) deemed unavailable for Week 12, Smith garnered 42.9 percent of the RB carries while coasting to a 5.4 yards-per-attempt average. Much of the rushing success came on a single 24-yard jaunt in the fourth quarter, a gain that obliterated Smith's previous season-long run of nine yards. He had 13 carries in eight appearances prior to Sunday's win, but if Gurley is forced to sit out Week 13 against New Orleans, Smith will surely maintain a share of the RB workload alongside Brian Hill. However, clean running lanes will be hard to come by in a matchup against the Saints' No. 2 rush defense.

NOVEMBER 29, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Jones returns pick for TD, Falcons rout Carr, Raiders 43-6

Deion Jones returned an interception 67 yards for a touchdown, Matt Ryan threw a pair of short scoring passes, and the Atlanta Falcons thoroughly dominated Derek Carr and the bumbl...

NOVEMBER 29, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Scratched for Sunday's game Smith (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game versus the Broncos.

Impact Smith will serve as a healthy scratch for a second straight week, as Qadree Ollison appears to have surpassed him on the depth chart, lining up as the No. 3 running back behind Todd Gurley and Brian Hill.

NOVEMBER 8, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Falcons-Panthers inactives: Ito Smith, Marlon Davidson out for Atlanta The Atlanta Falcons will be without a few young players for Thursday night's matchup against the Panthers

OCTOBER 30, 2020 • ATLANTAFALCONS.COM

McCaffrey will miss 6th straight game for Panthers

Panthers 2019 All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey was not removed from injured reserve and will miss his sixth straight game against the Falcons on Thursday night due to a hig...

OCTOBER 29, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Healthy scratch Thursday Smith (coach's decision) will not suit up against the Panthers on Thursday.

Impact Smith didn't get any offensive touches during Atlanta's Week 7 loss to Detroit, and he'll now be phased out entirely for Week 8. With Smith inactive, Brian Hill could see a slight uptick in usage as the No. 2 option behind top running back Todd Gurley.

OCTOBER 29, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

No offensive touches against Lions Smith played three offensive snaps, failing to haul in his lone target during Sunday's 23-22 loss to Detroit.

Impact Smith had two carries in each of his past three appearances entering Week 7, but Brian Hill (two carries) rounded out the RB workload behind Todd Gurley's 23 rush attempts in a loss to the Lions. The third-year back hasn't accumulated more than five offensive touches or 27 scrimmage yards in a game this season, but Atlanta's backfield benefits from a Thursday night matchup against Carolina. So far this season, the Panthers have allowed nine total touchdowns to opposing RBs, which is tied for third most in the NFL.

OCTOBER 27, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Breaks off 17-yard gain Smith ran for eight yards on two carries, adding a 17-yard catch during Sunday's 40-23 win against Minnesota.

Impact The 25-year-old did break off the second-longest receiving gain of his 27-game NFL career, but he garnered only two of Atlanta's 32 running back carries during a three-possession win over the Vikings. Barring injury ahead of him on the depth chart, Smith remains the clear No. 3 RB option in the Atlanta backfield with an average of two rush attempts per game.

OCTOBER 20, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Morris uses communication skills to spark Falcons to victory

Interim head coach Raheem Morris sought to make the Atlanta Falcons uncomfortable last week in an attempt to convince players that nobody's job was safe on the underachieving team

OCTOBER 19, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Three touches in loss to Panthers Smith registered six rushing yards on three carries during Sunday's 23-16 loss to Carolina.

Impact The third-year back has garnered multiple offensive touches in every game but one this season, but Brian Hill continues to rule the roost as Atlanta's No. 2 back. Hill has more than double the number of carries than Smith so far in 2020, while his 5.3 yards-per-carry average is a clear step up from Smith's 3.0 YPC clip. Given that starting back Todd Gurley owns five of the Falcons' six RB touchdowns this season, opportunity for Smith to provide fantasy utility remains minimal, barring an injury ahead of him on the depth chart.

OCTOBER 13, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Active in passing game against Pack Smith collected three rushing yards on two attempts and caught all three of his targets for 24 receiving yards during Monday's 30-16 loss to Green Bay.

Impact The third-year back has averaged 3.5 offensive touches per game through the first quarter of Atlanta's regular-season slate, while Brian Hill seems to be the preferred No 2 option behind Todd Gurley with an average of 6.5 touches per game, including 16 combined touches the past two weeks. Despite posting his highest receiving output since Oct. 6 of last year, Smith will in all likelihood be relegated to the third-string role again Week 5. In that matchup, the Falcons will take on a Panthers defense that recently held Arizona running backs to 51 total rushing yards on 17 attempts in a 31-21 win.

OCTOBER 6, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

No touches in Week 3 loss Smith did not haul in either of his targets, and he did not garner a single rush attempt during Sunday's 30-26 loss to the Bears.

Impact It was a Brian Hill breakout game Week 3, as the former Bengal glided to a 35-yard second-quarter touchdown run on the fourth of his 10 offensive touches. Smith has been slow out of the gates to kick off 2020, with no more than five offensive touches in any of the Falcons' three games to this point, and a season high of 20 scrimmage yards. The Southern Miss standout provided fantasy utility for stretches of his 2018 rookie season by way of four rushing touchdowns, but he has only found the end zone once in 10 appearances since. During Week 4 he will continue to serve as the Falcons' No. 3 running back, as Atlanta takes on Green Bay's middling rush defense (115 yards allowed per game) on Monday night.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Splits backup work against Dallas Smith logged 20 rushing yards on five carries during Sunday's 40-39 loss to the Cowboys.

Impact The 25-year-old back appeared to be in line for extra work Week 2 when Atlanta pounced on the Cowboys to capture a 20-0 first-quarter lead, but Dallas roared back, making Atlanta the first team (in 441 instances) since 1933 to lose a game when scoring 39 points with zero turnovers. Smith garnered all five of his touches between quarters one and three, but when the game tightened up in the final frame, Todd Gurley received 100 percent of the running back workload. The Falcons will try to right the ship Week 3 against the Bears, as they face off against a Chicago defense that ranks among the league's stingiest units with just 163 rushing yards allowed so far to opposing RBs.

SEPTEMBER 23, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Snags three passes in 2020 debut Smith caught all three of his targets for two receiving yards and ran for four yards on his lone rush attempt during Sunday's 38-25 loss to the Seahawks.

Impact Smith and Brian Hill nearly had an even split of the backup work behind two-time All-Pro Todd Gurley, as Hill garnered five offensive touches to Smith's four during Sunday's contest. Smith had his sophomore campaign cut short last year after suffering a neck injury and concussion while executing a pass block against the Rams on Oct. 20. He's now working his way back into the rotation, but Hill will be tough to overcome for the No. 2 role, as he was one of the most notably improved players in training camp this summer. Smith will slot into a backup role once again Week 2, when the Falcons travel to take on a Cowboys defense that surrendered 153 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns to the Rams on Sunday night.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Falcons make final cuts to set 53-man roster for opener

The Atlanta Falcons cut former first-round pick Laquon Treadwell and two quarterbacks as they got down to the 53-man roster limit for the regular season

SEPTEMBER 5, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Gurley, Mack sit out Falcons' first practice in full pads

Running back Todd Gurley and center Alex Mack did not participate in the Atlanta Falcons’ first practice in full pads of training camp

AUGUST 18, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS