Falcons’ John Cominsky was healthy inactive for first time

Atlanta Falcons defensive end John Cominsky (50) works during the first half of  against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Sep. 12, 2021, in Atlanta. The Eagles won 32-6. (Danny Karnik/AP)

Credit: AP

Credit: AP

Atlanta Falcons defensive end John Cominsky (50) works during the first half of against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Sep. 12, 2021, in Atlanta. The Eagles won 32-6. (Danny Karnik/AP)

FLOWERY BRANCH — Falcons defensive tackle John Cominsky, a third-year veteran, was a healthy scratch against Tampa Bay when he was declared inactive Sunday.

“You’ve got to make tough decisions every Sunday about who’s up and who’s down,” Falcons coach Arthur Smith said Wednesday. “A lot of it has to do with the game plan and some of the things we need to do. A lot of it has to do with special teams. You combine that and try to make the best decision for the team. You want to have hard decisions with those inactive spots. I feel like we do.”

Cominsky was a fourth-round pick in 2019 out of the Charleston (W.Va.). He’s played in 24 games and has made one start. Rookie defensive tackle Ta’Quon Graham was activated for the game.

Cominsky played only two defensive snaps (3%) and 18 special-teams plays (69%) in the opener against the Eagles the week before. Graham played 13 defensive snaps (21%) and seven on special teams (23%). Graham had a tackle.

“Obviously, we value what John does for this team,” Smith said. “But at the time we felt we’d put T.Q. up, and that was a decision that we thought best fit the game plan. Those are week-to-week decisions. There are no scholarships. All of a sudden you’re active, doesn’t mean you’re going to be active all year.”

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Falcons’ 2021 schedule features trip to London, January trip to Buffalo

Atlanta Falcons Schedule

Eagles 32, Falcons 6

Buccaneers 48, Falcons 25

Falcons at New York Giants, Sept. 26 at 1 p.m.

Washington FT at Falcons, Oct. 3 at 1 p.m.

New York Jets vs. Falcons in London, Oct. 10 at 9:30 a.m.

Here’s the rest of full schedule.