ATLANTA -- Though there was a chance Falcons starting left guard Elijah Wilkinson could play against the Cardinals on New Year's Day, his calf injury kept him too far from 100 percent. So, the Falcons listed him as inactive prior to Sunday's kickoff.
Wilkinson was placed on injured reserve in the middle of the season with a knee injury. He missed five games. During that time, the Falcons played three different linemen at left guard: Colby Gossett, Matt Hennessy and Chuma Edoga.
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Arthur Smith ruled Edoga out of Sunday's game on Friday after practice and then the Falcons placed him on IR on Saturday, so he will not be an option to fill in.
However, Hennessy and Gossett are.
Hennessy has been on injured reserve with a knee injury for the last month. When Wilkinson was originally placed on IR, Hennessy got his first start of the season, having been working on the move to the guard position after Drew Dalman won the starting center job at the beginning of the year. Hennessy returned to practice this week, and he was activated to the 53-man roster on Saturday. He will be available for the Falcons on Sunday.
Meanwhile, as lineman went on and off IR, Gossett has been a constant. He slotted in at left guard in five games this year, making four starts at the position.
Here's the full list of Falcons inactives:
TE Feleipe Franks
CB Rashad Fenton
S Micah Abernathy
OLB David Anenih
G Elijah Wilkinson
DL Matt Dickerson
The guys put in the work in Flowery Branch to prepare for this week's game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder #4 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Thursday, December 29, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Detail view of a team huddle during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Thursday, December 29, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Dean Pees during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 28, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith and director of sports medicine Jake Pfiel during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Thursday, December 29, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Avery Williams #35 and outside linebacker Quinton Bell #56 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Thursday, December 29, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman Colby Gossett #66 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Thursday, December 29, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Josh Ali #80 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Thursday, December 29, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Matt Hankins #30 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Thursday, December 29, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Logan Woodside #6 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 28, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Dylan Mabin #39 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 28, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier #25 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Thursday, December 29, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder #4 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Thursday, December 29, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Thursday, December 29, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive end Matt Dickerson #91 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 28, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Arnold Ebiketie #47 and outside linebacker Quinton Bell #56 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 28, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons guard Chris Lindstrom #63 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Thursday, December 29, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons secondary coach Jon Hoke during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 28, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive end Amani Bledsoe #79 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 28, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder #4 and quarterback Logan Woodside #6 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 28, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
View of the reflection in the visor of Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter #9 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 28, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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