Buckle up everyone – lots of changes coming your way this week. After getting five players back off the COVID list on Tuesday afternoon and three more just before the Bills game, Atlanta should have a more fortified depth chart this week heading into their rivalry matchup against the Saints. Let's break it down offensively and defensively.
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The biggest offensive changes come with Tajae Sharpe and Hayden Hurst’s activations from the COVID/reserve list back into their starting WR and TE spots. Lee Smith will serve as Hurst's backup, while Christian Blake returns to the secondary behind Sharpe. Additionally, Parker Hesse has stepped up from the practice squad as Kyle Pitts’ backup this week. Lastly, Rick Leonard has been added to the LT reserve behind Jake Matthews.
Moving on to the defense, Brandon Copeland, Marlon Davidson, Tyeler Davison, Jaylinn Hawkins, James Vaughters and Richie Grant have all been activated from the COVID/reserve. Hawkins is back in at starting safety with Shawn Williams to back him up. Likewise, Davison is back in as a starting DL with Ta'Quon Graham and Anthony Rush behind him. Davidson also returns as Grady Jarrett's backup and Copeland as Dante Fowler's backup. Last but not least in the third unit, Vaughters has returned as an OLB.
Check out the full depth chart below:
OFFENSE
| Position | Starter | Backup | Reserve |
|---|---|---|---|
| WR | Tajae Sharpe | Christian Blake | |
| TE | Kyle Pitts | Parker Hesse | |
| LT | Jake Matthews | Rick Leonard | |
| LG | Jalen Mayfield | Josh Andrews | |
| C | Matt Hennessy | Drew Dalman | |
| RG | Chris Lindstrom | Drew Dalman | |
| RT | Kaleb McGary | Colby Gossett | |
| TE | Hayden Hurst | Lee Smith | Keith Smith |
| WR | Russell Gage | Olamide Zaccheaus | Frank Darby |
| RB | Mike Davis | Cordarrelle Patterson | Qadree Ollison |
| QB | Matt Ryan | Josh Rosen -or- Feleipe Franks |
DEFENSE
| Position | Starter | Backup | Reserve |
|---|---|---|---|
| DL | Grady Jarrett | Marlon Davidson | |
| DL | Tyeler Davison | Ta'Quon Graham | Anthony Rush |
| DL | Mike Pennel | John Cominsky | |
| OLB | Dante Fowler | Brandon Copeland | James Vaughters |
| LB | Deion Jones | Mykal Walker | |
| LB | Foyesade Oluokun | Daren Bates | |
| OLB | Steven Means | Adetokunbo Ogundeji | |
| CB | A.J. Terrell | Darren Hall | |
| S | Jaylinn Hawkins | Shawn Williams | |
| S | Duron Harmon | Richie Grant | |
| CB | Fabian Moreau | Avery Williams | Kendall Sheffield |
SPECIAL TEAMS
| Position | Starter | Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| K | Younghoe Koo | |
| P | Thomas Morstead | |
| LS | Josh Harris | |
| H | Thomas Morstead | |
| PR | Avery Williams | Olamide Zaccheaus |
| KOR | Cordarrelle Patterson | Avery Williams |
Falcons Final Whistle | A Postgame Podcast
Break down the hottest topics surrounding the Atlanta Falcons and how they can impact the team's success with Falcons Insiders Will McFadden, Tori McElhaney and Terrin Waack. Like and subscribe to join us for the lively debate on Falcons Final Whistle.
Welcome to Falcons Final Whistle – an Atlanta Falcons football postgame podcast during the season that shifts gears in the offseason to answer a pressing question about the team's future each week through free agency, the NFL Draft and the offseason program.
