ATLANTA — For the first time this season, the Falcons have kept rookie defensive lineman Ruke Orhorhoro active on game day. After being drafted in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, Orhorhoro had not made his Falcons regular season debut yet, as he was listed as a healthy scratch throughout the first four games of the season. That status changed for the Falcons' Thursday Night Football matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Because of his active status, the Falcons had to make a decision as to who they would keep inactive in his place. That would turn out to be fellow defensive lineman Kentavius Street. Street has played a rotational role in the Falcons' first four games of the season, playing in anywhere from 26 to 31% of the Falcons' defensive snaps. He has recorded four total tackles within those reps.
Fellow rookie defensive lineman Brandon Dorlus did not join Orhorhoro as active, and neither did running back Jase McClellan.
As a reminder, the Falcons have already ruled inside linebacker Troy Andersen out of Thursday night's game. He suffered a knee injury in Atlanta's win over the Saints last Sunday. He did not participate in practice or walkthrough this week, with Raheem Morris officially ruling him out Wednesday. With Nate Landman still on injured reserve, rookie inside linebacker JD Bertrand is expected to start alongside Kaden Elliss.
On the other side of the line of the ball, the Falcons elevated guard/center Matt Hennessy from the practice squad earlier in the day Thursday. With right tackle Kaleb McGary having returned from a knee injury that kept him out of last Sunday's game, the Falcons have a good amount of depth at offensive line up for Thursday night. Because of this, they chose to keep interior lineman Elijah Wilkinson inactive, along with Jovaughn Gwyn.
Here is the Falcons' entire inactives list ahead of Thursday night's matchup:
RB Jase McClellan
ILB Troy Andersen
DL Brandon Dorlus
OL Jovaughn Gwyn
OL Elijah Wilkinson
T Brandon Parker
DL Kentavius Street
