Falcons promote Qadree Ollison, Anthony Rush to active roster

Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan hands off to running back Qadree Ollison (30) while running offensive drills during team practice at minicamp Wednesday, June 10, 2021, in Flowery Branch. (Curtis Compton / Curtis.Compton@ajc.com)

Credit: Curtis Compton / Curtis.Compton@

Credit: Curtis Compton / Curtis.Compton@

Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan hands off to running back Qadree Ollison (30) while running offensive drills during team practice at minicamp Wednesday, June 10, 2021, in Flowery Branch. (Curtis Compton / Curtis.Compton@ajc.com)

NEW ORLEANS -- Running back Qadree Ollison and defensive tackle Anthony Rush were promoted from the practice squad to the game-day roster by the Falcons on Saturday.

The Falcons (3-4) are set to play the Saints (5-2) at 1 p.m. Sunday at Caesars Superdome.

Also, offensive guard Josh Andrews did not travel with the team because of family reasons.

Ollison was a fifth-round pick (152nd overall) in the 2019 draft. He had a promising rookie season, but has since played sparingly.

Ollison has not played in a game this season. Last season, he played in three games and had one carry for 3 yards rushing.

As a rookie in 2019, he played in eight games and displayed a hard-charging running style. Playing mostly in short-yardage situations, Ollison, who played at Pittsburgh, rushed 22 times for 50 yards and scored four touchdowns.

The Falcons rush for 87 yards per game, which is ranked 27th of 32 teams in the NFL. The Saints give up only 79.4 yards rushing per game, which ranks second in the league.

Rush, who’s 6-foot-4 and 361 pounds, will provide depth with defensive tackle Jonathan Bullard out for the game with a concussion.

Rush, who played at Alabama-Birmingham, has played in 16 NFL games and made 14 tackles, three tackles for losses and has two pass breakups. He’s played with the Eagles, Packers, Seahawks and Titans.

He’s set to make his debut with the Falcons.

“He’s a guy that has come in, he’s trying to learn the system,” Falcons defensive line coach Gary Emanuel said recently. “Learn everything, but he’s another guy that has a high football IQ. He works extremely hard. He has a good skill set. So, we anticipate him probably helping before the season’s out.”

The Bow Tie Chronicles

For more content about The Atlanta Falcons

Follow me on Twitter @DOrlandoAJC

On Facebook at Atlanta Falcons News Now

Atlanta Falcons coverage on the Atlanta Journal-Constitution

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

Atlanta Falcons Schedule

Eagles 32, Falcons 6

Buccaneers 48, Falcons 25

Falcons 17, Giants 14

Washington 34, Falcons 30

Falcons 27, Jets 20

Bye Week

Falcons 30, Dolphins 28

Panthers 19, Falcons 13

Next Four Games

Falcons at Saints, 1 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 7

Falcons at Cowboys, 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 14

Patriots at Falcons, 8:20 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 18

Falcons at Jacksonville, 1 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 28