FLOWER BRANCH -- The Falcons’ depth chart has been updated to reflect the 13 players on the reserve/COVID-19 list as of Friday morning. They could get some players back before the game on Sunday, but will likely have a heavy dose of players promoted from the practice squad on Saturday.
Falcons backup offensive lineman Jason Spriggs was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Thursday to increase the number to 13 players on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
The Falcons (7-8), with their playoffs hopes alive, are set to play Buffalo (9-6) at 1 p.m. Sunday at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York.
Tight end Hayden Hurst, defensive tackle Jonathan Bullard, safety Jaylinn Hawkins and practice-squad guard Willie Beavers were added to the list Wednesday.
Linebacker Brandon Copeland, wide receiver Tajae Sharpe, outside linebacker James Vaughters and inside linebacker Dorian Etheridge were placed on the reserve COVID-19 list on Monday.
If Copeland and Vaughters can’t clear protocols, the Falcons will be very thin at outside linebacker.
Outside linebacker Quinton Bell is on the practice squad and John Cominsky has been working out with the outside linebackers. Defensive end Nick Thurman is also on the practice squad and Jordan Brailford was signed this week.
Sharpe suffered a foot injury against San Francisco and did not play against the Lions. Marvin Hall was called up from the practice squad to replace him.
The Falcons are already thin at defensive tackle with Marlon Davidson and Tyeler Davison also on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
Under new NFL protocols, the Falcons have a chance to get some players back.
A fully vaccinated player may continue to test out of isolation sooner than five days after the positive test as communicated in the Dec. 16 league update. Which essentially calls for two negative tests in a 24-hour period.
Here’s the official depth chart for the Bills’ game with the 13 players removed:
OFFENSE
WR - Christian Blake, (Calvin Ridley on the NFI list), (Marvin Hall will likely be promoted)
TE - Kyle Pitts, Lee Smith
LT - Jake Matthews, Colby Gossett
LG - Jaylen Mayfield, Josh Andrews (Ryan Neuzil is on the practice squad)
C - Matt Hennessy, Drew Dalman
RG - Chris Lindstrom, Drew Dalman
RT – Kaleb McGarry, Colby Gossett
TE – Hayden Hurst , *Keith Smith (Has not lined up as traditional TE),
WR - Russell Gage, Olamide Zaccheaus, Frank Darby
RB - Cordarrelle Patterson, Mike Davis, Qadree Ollison
FB - Keith Smith
QB - Matt Ryan, Josh Rosen, (Matt Barkley was signed to practice squad)
DEFENSE
DE - Grady Jarrett
NT - Ta’Quon Graham, Anthony Rush
DE - Mike Pennel, John Cominsky
OLB - Dante Fowler
ILB - Deion Jones, Mykal Walker
ILB - Foyesade Oluokun, Darren Bates
OLB – Steven Means, Adetokunbo Ogundeji
LCB - A.J. Terrell, Darren Hall
FS - Shawn Williams
SS - Duron Harmon, Richie Grant
RCB - Fabian Moreau, Avery Williams, Kendall Sheffield
SPECIAL TEAMS
K - Younghoe Koo
P – Thomas Morstead
LS - Josh Harris
H - Thomas Morstead
PR - Avery Williams, Olamide Zaccheaus
KOR - Cordarrelle Patterson, Avery Williams
The Bow Tie Chronicles
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