Rookie linebackers De’Vondre Campbell and Deion Jones both will play on Sunday when the Falcons (4-1) face the Seattle Seahawks (3-1) at CenturyLink Field.
Linebacker Paul Worrilow, who’s recovering from groin surgery was declared out.
“The linebackers had a good week,” Falcons coach Dan Quinn said on Friday. “You can tell how hard they worked to get ready to play.”
Jones, who had 30 tackles over four games, could help stop Seattle’s potent rushing attack and contain elusive quarterback Russell Wilson.
The Falcons have struggled in past seasons to cover tight ends and Seattle has three good ones, including Jimmy Graham. Campbell, as the weakside linebacker, would have some responsibility in covering the tight end along with strong safety Keanu Neal.
Jones and Campbell, have both recovered from ankle injuries.
Campbell opened the season as the starter, but suffered a high ankle sprain on Sept. 15 and has missed four games. Jones was injured after putting a big hit on Carolina quarterback Cam Newton two weeks ago and did not play last week against Denver.
Campbell was replaced in the lineup by Sean Weatherspoon until he ruptured his Achilles tendon against Carolina and was lost for the season. Against Denver, strong safety Kemal Ishmael started for Campbell, a fourth-round draft pick out of Minnesota.
LaRoy Reynolds started at middle linebacker for Jones against Denver and made five tackles.
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