FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Quarterback Taylor Heinicke and two others were limited in Wednesday's practice as the Falcons' prep for a critical NFC South battle began.
Heinicke (ankle) practiced as a limited participant in two of the three sessions leading up to the Falcons' Week 17 game against the Bears. In the fourth quarter of the loss, Heinicke exited the game with an ankle injury. Heinicke said he felt the ankle worsen late in the third quarter.
"It's progressing," Heinicke said of his injury before practice Wednesday. "I feel pretty optimistic about it."
Defensive end Zach Harrison (knee) and inside linebacker Troy Andersen (pectoral) were also limited Wednesday. Harrison sustained his injury in the Falcons most recent contest, too. The rookie defensive end left the game in the second quarter but returned shortly after. Andersen was designated to return from injured reserve prior to the practice's start. Wednesday was the first time Andersen has practiced with the Falcons since sustaining his injury in Week 3.
Meanwhile, center Drew Dalman did not participate in practice. Like Heinicke, the offensive lineman also left in the fourth quarter of the loss.
Cornerback Mike Hughes and safety DeMarcco Hellams did not participate in Wednesday's practice, either, as the defensive backs work through the league's concussion protocol. Hughes left the third quarter of the Bears game with a concussion and did not return. Head coach Arthur Smith said Hellams' symptoms emerged after the game.
Veterans Calais Campbell and Cordarrelle Patterson were also absent from the first practice of the week with their usual Wednesday rest day.
Check back in throughout the week for injury updates leading up to a divisional matchup against the New Orleans Saints that could decide the NFC South winner.
We take a look at the players on the current 53-man roster for the 2023 Atlanta Falcons, sponsored by Veepio.
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter #0 lines up during the first quarter of the Week 17 Game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois on Sunday, December 31, 2023. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Jeff Okudah #1
Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III #3
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Taylor Heinicke #4 scrambles during the first quarter of the Week 17 Game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois on Sunday, December 31, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5
Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo #6
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts #8
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder #9
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Logan Woodside #11
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge #12
Atlanta Falcons punter Bradley Pinion #13
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Van Jefferson #15
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Scotty Miller #16
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Arnold Ebiketie #17
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford #20
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Mike Hughes #21
Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24
Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier #25
Atlanta Falcons safety Richie Grant #27
Atlanta Falcons safety Micah Abernathy #29
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Tre Flowers #33
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Clark Phillips III #34
Atlanta Falcons defensive back DeMarcco Hellams #37
Atlanta Falcons tight end Tucker Fisk #43 runs down field during the second quarter of the Week 17 Game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois on Sunday, December 31, 2023. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Bud Dupree #48
Atlanta Falcons long snapper Liam McCullough #49
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker DeAngelo Malone #51
Atlanta Falcons inside linebacker Nate Landman #53
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Kaden Elliss #55
Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman Jovaughn Gwyn #56
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Andre Smith #59 makes a tackle during the second half of the Preseason Game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Friday, August 18, 2023. (Photo by Kyle Hess/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Tommy Togiai #62
Atlanta Falcons guard Chris Lindstrom #63
Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman Ryan Neuzil #64
Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman Matthew Bergeron #65
Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman Drew Dalman #67
Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman Kyle Hinton #68
Atlanta Falcons tackle Jake Matthews #70
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Kentavius Street #75 celebrates after a fumble recovery during the third quarter of the Week 9 Game against the Minnesota Vikings at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 5, 2023. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tackle Kaleb McGary #76
Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman Storm Norton #77
Atlanta Falcons tight end Jonnu Smith #81
Atlanta Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson #84
Atlanta Falcons tight end MyCole Pruitt #85
Atlanta Falcons tight end John FitzPatrick #87
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman David Onyemata #90 makes a tackle during the third quarter of the Week 17 Game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois on Sunday, December 31, 2023. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Calais Campbell #93 gets a safety during the Week 9 Game against the Minnesota Vikings at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 5, 2023. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Albert Huggins #94
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Ta'Quon Graham #95
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Zach Harrison #96
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Joe Gaziano #99
