The Falcons have released a new depth chart Tuesday ahead of the Week 16 game versus the Indianapolis Colts.
There are a couple changes to this edition. First, Taylor Heinicke is listed as in the starter spot and Desmond Ridder moves to the backup position. Second, LaCale London returns to the chart after he was placed on injured reserve after sustaining injury in Week 8, with Kentavius Street off the depth chart now that he's on IR.
The shift at quarterback comes on the heels of a 9-7 loss to the Carolina Panthers, where Ridder threw a late interception that proved to be the turning point in a defeat that set the Falcons back in the NFC South.
Heinicke has worked as the Falcons primary quarterback before. He took over in the second half of a loss at Tennessee and held the starting job through a Week 10 loss to Arizona.
As always, note that the "J" next to Cordarrelle Patterson stands for "Joker" as the versatile veteran fits into multiple positions.
OFFENSE
| Position | Starter | Backup | Reserve |
|---|---|---|---|
| WR | Mack Hollins | KhaDarel Hodge | |
| TE | Kyle Pitts | Keith Smith | John FitzPatrick |
| LT | Jake Matthews | ||
| LG | Matthew Bergeron | Jovaughn Gwyn | |
| C | Drew Dalman | Ryan Neuzil | |
| RG | Chris Lindstrom | Kyle Hinton | |
| RT | Kaleb McGary | Storm Norton | |
| TE | Jonnu Smith | MyCole Pruitt | |
| WR | Drake London | Scotty Miller | Van Jefferson |
| HB | Bijan Robinson | Tyler Allgeier | |
| QB | Taylor Heinicke | Desmond Ridder | Logan Woodside |
| J | Cordarrelle Patterson |
DEFENSE
| Position | Starter | Backup | Reserve |
|---|---|---|---|
| DL | Albert Huggins | LaCale London | Travis Bell |
| DL | David Onyemata | Ta'Quon Graham | |
| DL | Calais Campbell | Zach Harrison | Joe Gaziano |
| OLB | Bud Dupree | Lorenzo Carter | |
| ILB | Kaden Elliss | ||
| ILB | Nate Landman | Andre Smith Jr. | |
| OLB | Arnold Ebiketie | DeAngelo Malone | |
| CB | A.J. Terrell | Mike Hughes | |
| S | Jessie Bates III | Micah Abernathy | |
| S | Richie Grant | DeMarcco Hellams | |
| NB | Dee Alford | Clark Phillips III | |
| CB | Jeff Okudah | Tre Flowers |
Take a monochrome look at the matchup between the Atlanta Falcons and the Carolina Panthers during Week 15.
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Ta'Quon Graham #95 sacks the quarterback during the third quarter of the Week 15 Game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sunday, December 17, 2023. (Photo by Doug DeFelice/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Kaden Elliss #55 defends during the second quarter of the Week 15 Game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sunday, December 17, 2023. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier #25 rushes during the first half of the Week 15 Game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sunday, December 17, 2023. (Photo by Doug DeFelice/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot is seen on the field prior to the Week 15 Game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sunday, December 17, 2023. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Scene setters prior to the Week 15 Game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sunday, December 17, 2023. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 and running back Cordarrelle Patterson #84 prior to the Week 15 Game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sunday, December 17, 2023. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 rushes during the second quarter of the Week 15 Game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sunday, December 17, 2023. (Photo by Doug DeFelice/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons fullback Keith Smith #40 warms up prior to the Week 15 Game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sunday, December 17, 2023. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Mack Hollins #18 arrives prior to the Week 15 Game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sunday, December 17, 2023. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Scene setters prior to the Week 15 Game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sunday, December 17, 2023. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Calais Campbell #93 reacts after a sack during the second quarter of the Week 15 Game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sunday, December 17, 2023. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge #12 arrives prior to the Week 15 Game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sunday, December 17, 2023. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Jonnu Smith #81 arrives prior to the Week 15 Game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sunday, December 17, 2023. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts #8 runs after a catch during the second half of the Week 15 Game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sunday, December 17, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder #9 huddle prior to the Week 15 Game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sunday, December 17, 2023. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Albert Huggins #94 lines up during the third quarter of the Week 15 Game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sunday, December 17, 2023. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen prior to the Week 15 Game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sunday, December 17, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge #12 arrives prior to the Week 15 Game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sunday, December 17, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III #3 lines up during the second half of the Week 15 Game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sunday, December 17, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Ta'Quon Graham #95 reacts after a sack during the third quarter of the Week 15 Game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sunday, December 17, 2023. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Zach Harrison #96 sacks the quarterback during the second quarter of the Week 15 Game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sunday, December 17, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Jonnu Smith #81 runs after a catch during the second quarter of the Week 15 Game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sunday, December 17, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tight end MyCole Pruitt #85 arrives prior to the Week 15 Game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sunday, December 17, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 prior to the Week 15 Game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sunday, December 17, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Albert Huggins #94 warms up prior to the Week 15 Game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sunday, December 17, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Calais Campbell #93 prior to the Week 15 Game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sunday, December 17, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
SPECIAL TEAMS
| Position | Starter | Backup | Backup |
|---|---|---|---|
| K | Younghoe Koo | ||
| P | Bradley Pinion | ||
| LS | Liam McCullough | ||
| H | Bradley Pinion | ||
| PR | Dee Alford | Mike Hughes | |
| KOR | Cordarrelle Patterson | Mike Hughes |
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