Cordarrelle Patterson had returned just one kickoff entering Thursday night's game in Carolina. Against the Panthers, he brought three kickoffs out and was the main option in that phase of the return game.
Avery Williams mans that post most of the time, but we saw that Patterson's an option even with a heavy offensive workload. It's no shock, then, to see Patterson show up on the Week 11 depth chart as a kick returner sharing the top slot with Williams.
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Patterson is, after all, one of the best to ever do it. His next kick return touchdown also breaks a tie for the most in NFL history, and Patterson has made it clear he wants that record. He'll surely get some chances as the season progresses, along with Williams.
The depth chart also illustrates the fact the Falcons are thin along the interior offensive line. Injuries to Elijah Wilkinson and Matt Hennessy have created an adverse situation, where the team doesn't have a true and dedicated backup at center or either guard spot. Reserve tackles Germain Ifedfi and Chima Edoga have worked inside before and could do so again in a pinch.
OFFENSE
| Position | Starter | Backup | Reserve | Reserve | Reserve | Reserve |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WR | Drake London | Damiere Byrd | Bryan Edwards | |||
| TE | Kyle Pitts | Parker Hesse | Anthony Firkser | MyCole Pruitt | Feleipe Franks | |
| LT | Jake Matthews | Chuma Edoga | ||||
| LG | Colby Gossett | |||||
| C | Drew Dalman | |||||
| RG | Chris Lindstrom | |||||
| RT | Kaleb McGary | Germain Ifedi | ||||
| WR | Olamide Zaccheaus | KhaDarel Hodge | ||||
| RB | Cordarrelle Patterson | Tyler Allgeier | Avery Williams | Caleb Huntley | ||
| FB | Keith Smith | |||||
| QB | Marcus Mariota | Desmond Ridder |
We take a monochrome look at the game against the Carolina Panthers on November 10, 2022.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota #1 leads the huddle during warmups before the game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Thursday, November 10, 2022. (Photo by Doug DeFelice/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier #25 carries the ball during the game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Thursday, November 10, 2022. (Photo by Doug DeFelice/Atlanta Falcons)
A fan cheers as the Atlanta Falcons face the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Thursday, November 10, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson #84 runs the ball against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Thursday, November 10, 2022. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith poses for a photo before the game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Thursday, November 10, 2022. (Photo by Doug DeFelice/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota #1 warms up before facing the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Thursday, November 10, 2022. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier #25 runs the ball against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Thursday, November 10, 2022. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Grady Jarrett #97 in the tunnel before the game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Thursday, November 10, 2022. (Photo by Doug DeFelice/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 takes a knee on the field before facing the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Thursday, November 10, 2022. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Atlanta Falcons)
Fans look on during the game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Thursday, November 10, 2022. (Photo by Doug DeFelice/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Darren Hall #34 makes a sack during the game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Thursday, November 10, 2022. (Photo by Doug DeFelice/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Arnold Ebiketie #47 and Atlanta Falcons safety Richie Grant #27 celebrate after a play during the game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Thursday, November 10, 2022. (Photo by Mitchell Martin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge #12 reacts after scoring a touchdown in the second half of the game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Thursday, November 10, 2022. (Photo by Doug DeFelice/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder #4 arrives before the game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Thursday, November 10, 2022. (Photo by Mitchell Martin/Atlanta Falcons)
Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Falcons players and staff pray together after the game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Thursday, November 10, 2022. (Photo by Doug DeFelice/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Timmy Horne #93 warms up before the game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Thursday, November 10, 2022. (Photo by Doug DeFelice/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Mike Ford #28 lines up for a play during the game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Thursday, November 10, 2022. (Photo by Mitchell Martin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota #1 passes the ball to Atlanta Falcons running back Caleb Huntley #42 during the game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Thursday, November 10, 2022. (Photo by Mitchell Martin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier #25 runs with the ball during the game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Thursday, November 10, 2022. (Photo by Mitchell Martin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 reacts after scoring a touchdown during the second half of the game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Thursday, November 10, 2022. (Photo by Mitchell Martin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Anthony Firkser #86 arrives before the game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Thursday, November 10, 2022. (Photo by Mitchell Martin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter #9 before the game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Thursday, November 10, 2022. (Photo by Mitchell Martin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons guard Chris Lindstrom #63 and Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Grady Jarrett #97 run out of the tunnel before the game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Thursday, November 10, 2022. (Photo by Mitchell Martin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons inside linebacker Mykal Walker #3 during the National Anthem before the game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Thursday, November 10, 2022. (Photo by Mitchell Martin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tackle Kaleb McGary #76 runs out of the tunnel before the game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Thursday, November 10, 2022. (Photo by Mitchell Martin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson #84 runs the ball against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Thursday, November 10, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter #9 attempts to block the ball against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Thursday, November 10, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo #7, Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman Jake Matthews #70, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota #1, Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Ta'Quon Graham #95, and Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Grady Jarrett #97 walks out to the coin toss before the game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Thursday, November 10, 2022. (Photo by Mitchell Martin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson #84 and Tony Gonzalez on the sidelines before the game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Thursday, November 10, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman Jake Matthews #70 looks on from the bench before facing the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Thursday, November 10, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Grady Jarrett #97 arrives before the game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Thursday, November 10, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Smith looks onto the field before the Atlanta Falcons face the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Thursday, November 10, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts #8 stands for the national anthem before facing the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Thursday, November 10, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
DEFENSE
| Position | Starter | Backup | Reserve | Reserve | Reserve |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DL | Grady Jarrett | Timothy Horne | |||
| DL | Abdullah Anderson | Jalen Dalton | |||
| DL | Ta'Quon Graham | Matt Dickerson | |||
| OLB | Adetokunbo Ogundeji | Arnold Ebiketie | |||
| ILB | Mykal Walker | Troy Andersen | Nathan Landman | ||
| ILB | Rashaan Evans | Nick Kwiatkoski | |||
| OLB | Lorenzo Carter | DeAngelo Malone | |||
| CB | A.J. Terrell | Isaiah Oliver | Mike Ford | Rashad Fenton | |
| S | Richie Grant | Erik Harris | |||
| S | Jaylinn Hawkins | Jovante Moffatt | |||
| CB | Darren Hall | Dee Alford | Cornell Armstrong |
SPECIAL TEAMS
| Position | Starter | Backup |
|---|---|---|
| K | Younghoe Koo | |
| P | Bradley Pinion | |
| LS | Liam McCullough | |
| H | Bradley Pinion | |
| PR | Avery Williams | |
| KOR | Cordarrelle Patterson -OR-Avery Williams |
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