Falcons’ Avery Williams listed as out for Sunday’s game

MIAMI -- Falcons cornerback and punt returner Avery Williams will miss Sunday’s game after his status was downgraded to out Saturday.

On Friday, he was listed as doubtful for when the Falcons (2-3) play the Miami Dolphins (1-5) at 1 p.m. Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla.

Williams, who’s battling a hamstring injury, missed the last game against the Jets in London on Oct. 10. Wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus took over as the punt returner and a committee of Richie Grant, Darren Hall and Chris Williamson replaced him at nickel back.

Also, the Falcons will be without outside linebacker Dante Fowler (knee), who was placed on injured reserve. Outside linebacker James Vaughters will be a COVID-19 promotion to the roster, with right tackle Kaleb McGary on the NFL’s reserve/COVID-19 list.

Williamson and linebacker Daren Bates, a veteran special-teams player who signed last week, also were promoted to the roster from the practice squad.

Vaughters, who played at Tucker High and Stanford, has played in one game for the Falcons this season.

“James, you know, James is a hammer,” Falcons outside linebacker coach Ted Monachino said. “That’s James’ dominant trait. He’s tough. He’s strong. He’s an edge-setter, and he plays with championship effort.”

Vaughters will be a part of the committee that will replace Fowler. The Falcons will also use Ade Ogundeji and Jacob Tuioti-Mariner.

Vaughters played the past two seasons for the Bears, where Monachino was his position coach.

“The kid is a football player,” Monachino said. “We were fortunate enough to find him. When I was in Chicago, he was in Canada. We signed him to a futures deal, and he was on our active roster for two years. He’s a football guy.”