The Falcons have activated running back Cordarrelle Patterson off injured reserve, meaning he'll be available to play the L.A. Chargers on Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
That's just one of several roster moves the team announced on Saturday afternoon. And by several, we mean, like, a whole lot.
Ready? Here are they all are, in list form:
- Patterson activated of IR
- Starting left guard Elijah Wilkinson was placed on injured reserve
- Edge rusher Quinton Bell was released
- Defensive lineman Jalen Dalton was signed to the 53-man roster off the practice squad
- Safety Jovante Moffatt and offensive lineman Ryan Neuzil were designated as practice-squad elevations.
Got all that? Good.
Now let's break it all down.
Getting Patterson back is a huge benefit to the run game, the passing game and the return game. The physical, fast and versatile talent will make an immediate impact in all those phases, especially to a ground game already going strong with Tyler Allgeier and Caleb Huntley behind a stout offensive line.
Patterson's ability to work in the pattern – the man's a career receiver, after all – adds another dynamic threat for Marcus Mariota to find through the air and certainly changes the way you'll have to defend Kyle Pitts, Drake London and all of Arthur Smith's Falcons. He's also arguably the best kick returner of all time, so that's aa huge addition to special teams.
While those are all pluses, losing Wilkinson for at least four games with a knee injury is a setback. The starting left guard had fared well this season as a run blocker and pass protector, so playing without him for any stretch is not ideal. Interior lineman Matt Hennessy was seen taking first unit reps at left guard during open portions of practice -- he said he has been working there for weeks -- despite being a reserve center, which is likely why center/guard Ryan Neuzil is a practice squad elevation. Colby Gossett is also an option at guard.
Moffatt also makes sense as an elevation, with Erik Harris questionable (ankle) and Dean Marlowe traded to Buffalo just before the NFL trade deadline. The Falcons could still be thin at safety, though starting slot corner Isaiah Oliver has cross-trained there and could play there in a pinch.
Dalton gets promoted a week after he was a practice squad elevation and Matt Dickerson was inactive despite being on the 53-man roster. He also brings the defensive line group to six, creating some more injury protection.
Bell was released to make room for roster additions after being inactive five times in eight weeks. He's a talented play but was behind Lorenzo Carter, Arnold Ebiketie, Ade Ogundeji and DeAngelo Malone in the pass-rusher pecking order.
Take a look as the team puts in the work in Flowery Branch to prepare for this week's game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford #37 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Thursday, November 3, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Damiere Byrd #14 before practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Thursday, November 3, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota #1 and quarterbacks coach Charles London during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Thursday, November 3, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, November 2, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Erik Harris #23 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, November 2, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder #4 listens to coach Charles London during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, November 2, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts #8 and wide receiver Damiere Byrd #14 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, November 2, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter #9 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, November 2, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons coach Dean Pees during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, November 2, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Jovante Moffatt #20 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, November 2, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Ta'Quon Graham #95 and defensive lineman Timmy Horne #93 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, November 2, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford #37 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, November 2, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons long snapper Liam McCullough #48 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Thursday, November 3, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus #17 before practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Thursday, November 3, 2022. (Photo by Damiere Byrd/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus #17 poses as wide receiver Damiere Byrd #14 takes photos before practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Thursday, November 3, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford #37 before practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Thursday, November 3, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Kobe Smith #72 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Thursday, November 3, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson #84 and tight end Kyle Pitts #8 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Thursday, November 3, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Feleipe Franks #15 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, November 2, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Jovante Moffatt #20 and cornerback Mike Ford #28 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, November 2, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder #4 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, November 2, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Detail view of scratches on a helmet during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, November 2, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson #84 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, November 2, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman Drew Dalman #67 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, November 2, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Rashad Fenton #21 and coach Steven King during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, November 2, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Caleb Huntley #42 and running back Cordarrelle Patterson #84 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Thursday, November 3, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
