FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons tapped inside linebacker Josh Woods and kicker Riley Patterson as their Week 13 standard practice squad elevations, the team announced Saturday, the day before it hosts the Los Angeles Chargers.
This marks Woods' second elevation and Patterson's first with the Falcons.
Woods was elevated for the Falcons' Week 5 overtime win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He did not record any stats in his 16 special teams snaps.
Woods joined the NFL in 2019 as an undrafted free agent and has been active for four different teams, including the Falcons (2024), Arizona Cardinals (2023), Detroit Lions (2021-22) and Chicago Bears (2019-21). His best season – so far – came in 2023 when he totaled 61 tackles, a pass breakup, a forced fumble and half a sack.
Patterson has also had one game appearance already this season, but with the New York Jets in Week 9. He made all three of his extra point attempts in the Jets' win against the Houston Texans.
Patterson joined the league in 2021 as an undrafted free agent and has been active for four different teams, including the Jets (2024), Cleveland Browns (2023), Detroit Lions (2023 and 2021) and Jacksonville Jaguars (2022). His most productive season came in 2022 when he made 30 of his 35 field goal attempts, with a long from 53 yards out, and only missed one extra point in 37 attempts.
The Falcons had three inside linebackers – JD Bertrand (concussion), Troy Andersen (knee) and Nate Landman (hamstring) – on their injury report this week. All were full participants in Friday's final practice and did not receive a game designation, though, so Woods' elevation is likely a depth precaution.
Meanwhile, Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo was listed as questionable on Friday’s game report, which explains Patterson's elevation. Head coach Raheem Morris did say he believes the Falcons will "be fine" in regards to Koo and called Patterson an "emergency" option, though.
In addition to those moves, the Falcons announced Saturday they signed offensive lineman Jovaughn Gwyn to the practice squad. He was released from the 53-man roster Thursday.
The Falcons-Chargers game is scheduled for Sunday at 1 p.m. ET (CBS) inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Previous 2024 practice squad elevations include:
- Week 1: cornerback Kevin King and wide receiver Chris Blair
- Week 2: safety Dane Cruikshank
- Week 3: none
- Week 4: offensive lineman Matt Hennessy
- Week 5: Hennessy and Woods
- Week 6: Hennessy and King
- Week 7: cornerback Natrone Brooks and defensive lineman Demone Harris
- Week 8: Harris and Brooks
- Week 9: Harris and Brooks
- Week 10: outside linebacker Khalid Kareem and Blair
- Week 11: Bye
As a reminder, teams can elevate up to two practice squad players per game. Each player can only be elevated a max of three times. If a fourth time comes up, the player must be signed to the active roster.
Refresh your eyes and thirst with our weekly recap of our favorite images from week thirteen practices ahead of the Sunday matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, presented by Gatorade / FastTwitch.
