FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Falcons are nursing a few new injuries after their Week 11 loss to the Denver Broncos. Luckily, they'll have the bye week to recover.
The Falcons ruled out eight players ahead of their game against Denver, including five starters. Then five more players left the game with injury.
"Those guys need a little time off," Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said Monday. "It's always like that in the National Football League when you play 11 straight weeks of big-time football which these guys have played."
Below is an overview look of the Falcons' injuries heading into the bye:
Injured players in Week 11
A total of 18 players were listed on the Falcons injury report during the practice week in the leadup to the Broncos game, and the following eight were ruled out:
- CB Dee Alford (hamstring)
- CB Mike Hughes (neck)
- CB Antonio Hamilton Sr. (pectoral)
- ILB JD Bertrand (concussion)
- ILB Troy Andersen (knee)
- TE Charlie Woerner (concussions)
- DL James Smith-Williams (tibia)
- DL Ta'Quon Graham (pectoral)
Smith-Williams and Graham were placed on injured reserve Saturday. A flurry of additional roster moves accompanied those transactions, including the activations of center Drew Dalman and outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter to the roster. Dalman did not appear in the Week 11 game as backup Ryan Neuzil saw 100% of snaps. Meanwhile, Carter saw some action on defense and special teams. Raheem Morris said Monday after the loss that Dalman will get going back in the starting rotation once they return from the bye week.
Immerse yourself in the subtle drama of the Falcons-Broncos meetup at Empower Field at Mile High with our monochrome snapshots from Week 11, shot on Sony.
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Grady Jarrett #97 arrives before the Week 11 Game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, November 17, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman Matthew Bergeron #65 arrives before the Week 11 Game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, November 17, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Justin Simmons #31 signs the player hall of fame wall before the Week 11 Game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, November 17, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 in the locker room before the Week 11 Game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, November 17, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Kaden Elliss #55 and his brother after the Week 11 Game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, November 17, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo #6 makes a field goal during the Week 11 Game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, November 17, 2024. (Photo by Tyler Schank/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 during the National Anthem before the Week 11 Game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, November 17, 2024. (Photo by Tyler Schank/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Kaden Elliss #55 and his brother after the Week 11 Game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, November 17, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 during the Week 11 Game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, November 17, 2024. (Photo by Tyler Schank/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons offense lines up during the Week 11 Game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, November 17, 2024. (Photo by Tyler Schank/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Grady Jarrett #97 on the sideline before the Week 11 Game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, November 17, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Avery Williams #26 walks out to warm ups before the Week 11 Game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, November 17, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons players walk out before the Week 11 Game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, November 17, 2024. (Photo by Tyler Schank/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons players huddle before the Week 11 Game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, November 17, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank walks out of the tunnel before the Week 11 Game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, November 17, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons guard Chris Lindstrom #63 warms up before the Week 11 Game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, November 17, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman Matthew Bergeron #65 warms up before the Week 11 Game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, November 17, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo #6 kicks a field goal during the Week 11 Game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, November 17, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Clark Phillips III #22 during the Week 11 Game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, November 17, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 carries the ball during the Week 11 Game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, November 17, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 during the Week 11 Game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, November 17, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III #3 and Bo Nix after the Week 11 Game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, November 17, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 during the Week 11 Game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, November 17, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons offensive line during the Week 11 Game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, November 17, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo #6 kicks a field goal during the Week 11 Game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, November 17, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III #3 during the Week 11 Game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, November 17, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Ross Dwelley #85 carries the ball during the Week 11 Game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, November 17, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Avery Williams #26 during the Week 11 Game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, November 17, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 during the Week 11 Game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, November 17, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris during the Week 11 Game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, November 17, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III #3 in the locker room before the Week 11 Game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, November 17, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Justin Simmons #31 in the locker room before the Week 11 Game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, November 17, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Players injured against the Broncos
Throughout the game against the Broncos, five more Falcons went down with injury.
- WR Darnell Mooney (hamstring)
- DL Zach Harrison (knee)
- CB Kevin King (concussion)
- WR Casey Washington (concussion)
- LB Nate Landman (hamstring)
Washington and Landman were injured in the fourth quarter and neither returned to the field. Harrison and King were ruled out during the game while Mooney remained questionable at the final whistle. Still, the top-producing receiver did not return to the field. The timeline of their injuries is unknown, but Morris did note that the bye week would allow for "getting our receivers back healthy, getting Mooney fresh."
Once the team resumes practice for Week 13, the practice report will provide an updated look at the injury situation.
A look back at the injured reserve
As the bye week gets underway, eight players are still on the injured/reserve list.
- WR Rondale Moore (knee, placed Aug. 8)
- OLB Bralen Trice (knee, placed Aug. 11)
- Harrison Hand (knee, placed Aug. 11)
- S DeMarcco Hellams (ankle, placed Aug. 27)
- S Micah Abernathy (knee, Oct. 15)
- DL Ruke Orhorhoro (ankle, placed Nov. 1)
- DL James Smith-Williams (tibia, placed Nov. 16)
- DL Ta'Quon Graham (pectoral, placed Nov. 16)
Morris said Monday that both Hellams and Orhorhoro are the most likely to return at some point.
"Obviously Hellams potentially coming back at some point, getting him back off the IR ... not sure exactly when but knowing he has the opportunity to come back," Morris said. "Knowing Ruke has a chance to come back. He's got to get through his fourth (missed) game, so not expecting him back for L.A."
Neither Hellams or Orhoroho have entered a 21-day window to return. However, Morris indicated they could make a return in the regular season.
The Falcons will be back in action Dec. 1 versus the Los Angeles Chargers with hopes to be a little fresher and a little healthier.
