FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Falcons have ruled out eight individuals ahead of their Week 11 matchup with the Denver Broncos. That group of eight includes a handful of defensive starters.

Starting with the Falcons' secondary, Dee Alford (hamstring) and Mike Hughes (neck) will not play this Sunday. This will likely mean Clark Phillips III and Kevin King will help out in the starting lineup, as well as someone like Richie Grant, according to the call. Antonio Hamilton Sr. — who is Alford's backup at nickel — has also been ruled out.

Alford has been the Falcons' primary nickel this season, while Hughes has started every game at outside corner opposite A.J. Terrell. How the Falcons account for the absence of those two — plus the backup behind Alford — will be something to monitor in-game.

As we move closer to the line of scrimmage, the news doesn't get much better for the Falcons. Inside linebackers Troy Andersen (knee) and JD Bertrand (concussion) were not able to get the all-clear from their injuries, meaning the Falcons will continue to rely on Kaden Elliss and Nate Landman as their starters. Andersen returned to the field last Sunday after missing over a month of games, but head coach Raheem Morris said earlier in the week that he had re-aggravated the knee injury in the Falcons' loss to the Saints. It's the same injury that kept him out previously.

Morris also alluded to early in the week that the Falcons were prepped to rule out defensive linemen James Smith-Williams (tibia) and Ta'Quon Graham (pectoral). Their absence could make way for rookie defensive lineman Brandon Dorlus to get his first live-game reps of the season if the Falcons feel they need depth up front. Fellow rookie lineman Ruke Orhorhoro is still on injured reserve with an ankle injury.

On the other side of the ball, the Falcons will be without tight end Charlie Woerner for the first time all season. Woerner has a concussion and was officially ruled out Friday.

In a small sprinkling of good news, the Falcons did not give wide receiver Darnell Mooney a game designation, meaning he is cleared to play Sunday. Mooney showed up on Thursday's injury report. He was listed as having an Achilles injury. Though he was limited in Friday's practice, he was not listed on the game report.

Something to monitor in the coming days will be the subsequent moves the Falcons could make. Outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter and center Drew Dalman were full participants again Friday, and were not given game designations. As both are within their 21-day window to return to the 53-man roster, the Falcons would have to active them accordingly and make moves to account for their spots on the active roster. Practice squad elevations and other roster moves are typically released around 4 p.m. ET on Saturdays. Inactives will be released 90 minutes prior to kickoff Sunday.

You can view the entire Falcons-Broncos injury report for Week 11 here.

Friday, Nov. 15 — Injury Report

Full Participation

• OLB Lorenzo Carter (concussion)
• WR Drake London (hip)
• QB Kirk Cousins (right shoulder, right elbow)
• RB Tyler Allgeier (quadricep)
• G Chris Lindstrom (knee)
• OL Ryan Neuzil (calf)
• C Drew Dalman (ankle)
• DL Zach Harrison (achilles)
• DL Grady Jarrett (achilles)

Limited Participation

• WR Darnell Mooney (achilles)
• ILB Troy Andersen (knee)

Did Not Participate

• CB Dee Alford (hamstring)
• CB Mike Hughes (neck)
• CB Antonio Hamilton Sr. (pectoral)
• ILB JD Bertrand (concussion)
• DL James Smith-Williams (tibia)
• TE Charlie Woerner (concussion)
• DL Ta'Quon Graham (pectoral)

Friday, Nov. 15 – Game Report

Questionable

• N/A

Doubtful

• N/A

Out

• CB Dee Alford (hamstring)
• CB Mike Hughes (neck)
• CB Antonio Hamilton Sr. (pectoral)
• ILB JD Bertrand (concussion)
• ILB Troy Andersen (knee)
• DL James Smith-Williams (tibia)
• TE Charlie Woerner (concussion)
• DL Ta'Quon Graham (pectoral)