JANUARY 25, 2022 • ATLANTAFALCONS.COM
LEE SMITH
Lee Smith's Battle for Control ' Conquering his family's cycle of absent fathers and alcoholism When Lee Smith's father, Daryle, turned to alcohol, it drastically changed the course of his childhood, leaving him without a fully present...
Conquering the Cycle: Lee Smith retiring on his own terms Veteran tight end is calling it a career after playing 11 NFL seasons with the Falcons, Bills and Raiders, ready to provide guidance he desp...
JANUARY 25, 2022 • ATLANTAFALCONS.COM
Non-factor in season finale Smith played four offensive snaps but didn't record any counting stats during Sunday's 30-20 loss to the Saints.
Impact Smith, who is known more for his blocking, wasn't a factor in Week 18, as the Falcons fell behind early and had to turn primarily to the passing attack. He finished the 2021 campaign with nine catches (11 targets) for 65 yards and one touchdown across 16 appearances. The 34-year-old tight end is set to be a free agent this offseason, but it's unclear what type of market the veteran will draw.
JANUARY 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
The throwback dinosaur and the unicorn: Inside Kyle Pitts and Lee Smith's unlikely bond Outside of their creature nicknames, the two couldn't be more different.
JANUARY 6, 2022 • ATLANTAFALCONS.COM
"I'm going to say as many cuss words as I can" ' Lee Smith Micd Up Tight end Lee Smith was mic'd up for the first time in his 11 year career in Sunday's game in Buffalo.
JANUARY 5, 2022 • ATLANTAFALCONS.COM
Full practice Tuesday Smith (back) was a full participant at Tuesday's practice.
Impact The tight end missed the Falcons' Week 10 matchup against the Cowboys, but appears to be ready for Thursday night against the Patriots. He'll continue to operate as a reserve option behind Kyle Pitts, a role in which he has reeled in eight catches for 53 yards and a score this season.
NOVEMBER 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Won't play in Week 10 Smith (back) has been ruled out for Sunday's game in Dallas, Michael Rothstein of ESPN reports.
Impact Smith was previously listed as doubtful, so his absence against the Cowboys won't come as a surprise. Atlanta elevated Parker Hesse from the practice squad in a corresponding move to provide depth at tight end with Smith out.
NOVEMBER 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Falcons activate OLB Fowler, place Means on injured reserve
Outside linebacker Dante Fowler Jr. has been activated to the Atlanta Falcons active roster from injured reserveNOVEMBER 13, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Doubtful against Dallas Smith (back) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Cowboys, Scott Bair of the Falcons' official site reports.
Impact Barring an unexpected improvement, the back injury Smith sustained last week against the Saints will keep him out of action in Week 10. Even when healthy, the reserve tight end doesn't have a prominent role in the Falcons' offense, as Kyle Pitts and Hayden Hurst occupy the top two spots on the depth chart at the position.
NOVEMBER 12, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Non-participant Wednesday Smith (back) was listed as a non-participant in Wednesday's practice, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reports.
Impact Smith missed Wednesday's practice after sustaining a back injury in Sunday's win. The 33-year-old will have two more days to improve his status in order to play against Dallas.
NOVEMBER 10, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Adaptable Saints take on Falcons with a new starting QB
The New Orleans Saints have learned this week that they'll be without starting quarterback Jameis Winston and top receiver Michael Thomas for the rest of the seasonNOVEMBER 4, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Catches all three targets Smith caught all three of his targets for 30 yards during Sunday's 27-20 win over the Jets.
Impact The Falcons were without their top two wideouts Sunday, which allowed Smith extra opportunities in the passing game. The 33-year-old didn't disappoint and turned that opportunity into a season-high 30 receiving yards. Smith remains behind Hayden Hurst and Kyle Pitts on the depth chart, but he likely will continue to see minor production as long as Matt Ryan continues to utilize his tight ends and running backs at a rapid rate.
OCTOBER 11, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Catches three passes Sunday Smith caught all three of his targets for seven yards and one touchdown during Sunday's 17-14 win over the Giants.
Impact Smith out snapped Hayden Hurst 26-24 in Week 3. It's uncertain if this trend will continue moving forward, but it is clear that both are firmly entrenched behind Kyle Pitts on the depth chart. While the 33-year-old's touchdown was a pleasant surprise, his production Sunday doesn't warrant him consideration as a viable fantasy option.
SEPTEMBER 27, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Matt Ryan finds Lee Smith for play-action TD Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan finds tight end Lee Smith for a play-action TD.
SEPTEMBER 26, 2021 • NFL.COM
Falcons give Smith first win, beat Giants on Eli's day
Younghoe Koo kicked a 40-yard field goal on the final play and the Atlanta Falcons beat the New York Giants 17-14 to give coach Arthur Smith his first NFL win SundaySEPTEMBER 26, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
'Throwback dinosaur' Lee Smith has become a strong mentor in Falcons locker room Veteran tight end has become a 'big brother' to Kyle Pitts and other young Falcons players
SEPTEMBER 7, 2021 • ATLANTAFALCONS.COM
Still standing: Falcons' Ryan embraces elder statesman role
Matt Ryan feels like the last man standing with the Atlanta Falcons, not that it’s a bad thingJULY 31, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Hayden Hurst's confidence, Lee Smith returns: What we learned at Falcons training camp, day 2 It's not Hayden Hurst vs. Kyle Pitts, the veteran tight end said. It's "Hayden Hurst and Kyle Pitts."
JULY 30, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Back on practice field Smith (undisclosed) returned from the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday, Tori McElhaney of The Athletic reports.
Impact Smith was back on the field working with fellow tight ends Friday. If the veteran manages to make Atlanta's roster, he'll likely find himself handling a reserve blocking role.
JULY 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Falcons place Fowler on reserve/COVID-19 list
The Atlanta Falcons have placed defensive end-outside linebacker Dante Fowler Jr. on the reserve/COVID-19 listJULY 29, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Dante Fowler, Lee Smith on Reserve/COVID-19 list Falcons outside linebacker Dante Fowler was placed on the Reserve/Covid 19 list by the NFL on Wednesday, according to the league’s transacti...
JULY 29, 2021 • AJC.COM
Headed to COVID-19 list Smith was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Impact The team acquired Smith as depth for their tight end room in March. He's a 10-year veteran, though he could have a hard time making the team with Kyle Pitts and Hayden Hurst ahead of him on the depth chart.
JULY 28, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Falcons hope low-cost free agent class will make big splash
With little money to spend in free agency, the Atlanta Falcons are looking to make a splash with high-character players who don’t take a big chunk out of the budgetMARCH 25, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Lee Smith embracing his new role: I’m here to make sure no one hits Matt Ryan New Falcons tight end Lee Smith is excited about helping re-vamp Falcons run game and protect Matt Ryan
MARCH 24, 2021 • ATLANTAFALCONS.COM
Falcons acquire blocking tight end Lee Smith from Bills The Atlanta Falcons added a blocking tight end for new coach Arthur Smith’s offense on Wednesday by acquiring veteran Lee Smith from the Buffalo Bills in exchange for a seventh-rou...
MARCH 17, 2021 • WASHINGTONTIMES.COM
