Five Falcons on NFL’s Reserve/COVID-19 list
Falcons outside linebacker Dante Fowler was placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list by the NFL on Wednesday, according to the league’s transactions list.
This came after Lee Smith, a veteran blocking tight end acquired via trade with Buffalo over the offseason, defensive tackle John Atkins, outside linebacker Kobe Jones and center Willie Wright were placed on the list Tuesday.
Fowler reported for camp in Flowery Branch during the player check-in period Tuesday.
The Falcons are set to hit the field for their first practice of training camp Thursday morning.
Fowler, who’s coming off a down season, signed an incentive-laden deal that is tied to his sack totals. He could miss a couple of weeks of training camp.
In addition to being without the five players on the COVID-19 list, the Falcons placed right tackle Kaleb McGary, backup tackle Matt Gono and reserve defensive tackle Deadrin Senat on the physically-unable-to-perform list Wednesday.
All three missed time over the offseason with undisclosed injuries. Gono reported for player check-in Tuesday while wearing a neck brace.
Unlike in-season PUP designations that require players to miss a set amount of time before returning to the roster, players placed on the PUP list during training camp can be activated at any time.
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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.
