Falcons lineman Michael Jerrell ready to answer the bell when it rings
FLOWERY BRANCH — If Jake Matthews is not ready to play, backup swing tackle Michael Jerrell is on standby.
Matthews, the Falcons’ stalwart left tackle, suffered an ankle injury in the 24-14 win over the Bills on Monday. His status will be closely watched as the Falcons (3-2) get set to play the 49ers (4-2) at 8:20 p.m. Sunday at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
“Day-to-day,” Falcons coach Raheem Morris said Tuesday. “It was an ankle. So we know who he is. … We have to see. I feel really positive about him.”
Matthews left the game late in the second quarter, and Jerrell popped right into his spot.
“It’s a little bit of a challenge, but it’s not that tough because you know that’s your role,” Jerrell told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “I know that’s my role as the swing tackle to be ready at any given moment.”
Jerrell likes to prepare during the practice week as if he’s the starter.
“When my number is called, I have to always be ready to step up,” said Jerrell, who the Falcons acquired in a trade with Seattle in August. “I have to prepare just like a starter. It’s a little bit tough trying to get going, but once you get going, it’s just normal like anything else.”
Morris felt that Jerrell did a good job.
“He filled in and did a nice job,” Morris said. “Was able to go out there and finish that game for us. … He went out there and played well. … When you don’t notice those guys, that’s really a good thing.”
Jerrell, who was a late bloomer at NCAA Division II Findlay (Ohio), was drafted in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL draft by the Seahawks. He played in 10 games and made three starts for the Seahawks as a rookie.
The Falcons sent a conditional seventh-round pick to the Seahawks for Jerrell. Since the trade, he’s been quietly blending in with his new team.
“I fit right on in,” Jerrell said. “It was like a match made in heaven. The personalities and everything matched up. Scheme and everything. They welcomed me with open arms.”
Jerrell had to pick up the nuances of the Falcons’ outside-zone blocking system.
“They caught me up to speed,” Jerrell said. “No secrets among us. Great group of guys. Also, I’m very thankful to be a part of it.”
Jerrell was on the field in the fourth quarter when the Falcons put together a 14-play, 68-yard drive. Parker Romo made a 33-yard field goal to make it a two-score game with under two minutes to play.
“It felt good,” Jerrell said. “All we were thinking was stay on the field. We have to put points on the board. We’ve got to put the game away. That’s all we keep thinking was strain, strain, strain.”
Jerrell enjoyed working next to left guard Matthew Bergeron.
“He was a great helper,” Jerrell said. “He was part of the guys who brought me along. I’m very thankful for that. I’m very thankful to play next to him.”
The offensive linemen were chatting after the game and talking about how they expect Matthews to play against the 49ers, how it would take an act of Congress to keep him out of a game.
Bergeron didn’t mind helping Jerrell get comfortable during the game.
“It just shows how (offensive line) coach (Dwayne) Ledford has us prepared,” Bergeron said. “Throughout training camp and throughout the season, as a unit and as a group, everybody is taking reps. We are all on the same page.”
The communication was maintained even after Jerrell came into the game.
“Elijah (Wilkinson) showed that with Kaleb (McGary) and Storm (Norton) going down, the next man up,” Bergeron said. “He came in and did a great job for us and helped us win games. It just shows how good of a coach that Dwayne Ledford is.”
All-Pro right guard Chris Lindstrom also was impressed with how Jerrell came in and handled his business.
“That’s no small thing,” Lindstrom said. “Mike did a great job and then in the second half owning the game plan. He’s been here now seven or eight weeks. … We just built that trust and that relationship with him every day in practice. I think it’s a reflection of the (group). I think we are really lucky to have him.”
The offensive line is a big part of the Falcons’ identity.
“We are going to try to run the football,” Lindstrom said. “Then in the same sense, play-action pass. The skill guys are going to create (explosive plays) and move the ball when we have to. I think it’s the cohesion of three phases really: running the ball, drop back and play-action pass. When all three of those things are in phase, it’s really awesome.”
About the Author
Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.
