FLOWERY BRANCH — Falcons linebacker Troy Andersen was placed in the NFL’s concussion protocol after coming forward Tuesday, coach Arthur Smith said Wednesday.
“Troy Andersen came in yesterday and didn’t feel right, so we put him in the (concussion) protocol,” Smith said. “We’ll see how that goes all week. Anytime that somebody comes in, a day after, two days after or at any time, we take that serious. He’ll be evaluated and that will be on the injury report.”
Also, cornerback Jeff Okudah (foot) and running back/wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson (thigh) were back at practice Wednesday. Okudah was limited. Patterson fully participated in practice.
Tight end Jonnu Smith (rest) and defensive end Calais Campbell (rest) did not practice.
Linebacker Tae Davis is listed as Andersen’s backup on the depth chart.
“We’ll just see how the game plan is,” Smith said. “We have a lot of faith in Tae and (Nate) Landman. We’ll just see how it goes. Also, we’ll see what we need depth-wise on special teams. That’s what it is.”
Andersen, who was drafted in the second round of the 2022 draft, had 10 tackles, a tackle for loss and a quarterback hit against the Panthers. He also had a half of a sack.
Davis, who signed as a free agent after stints with the Giants and Browns, has played 46 games in the NFL, but has made only five starts. Landman has played in only eight games and doesn’t have a start. Davis, who played at Chattanooga in college, played the most special-teams snaps (22) against the Panthers.
The Falcons cut former starting linebacker Mykal Walker during training camp and didn’t re-sign Rashad Evans after he led the team in tackles with 159 last season. Evans signed with the Eagles on Monday.
“That’s why I continually talk about depth during the season and why it’s so important to build depth and to have a flexible roster and a lot of guys that you trust,” Smith said. “Every week there is going to be something, and we mean that around here about developing players and working depth.”
Okudah was working with the first-team defense after he was acquired in a trade with the Lions. Tre Flowers started for him in the opener.
Now, with his right ankle/foot healed, the Falcons have to get him football shape.
“There is nothing that can simulate playing 60-plus snaps at that kind of energy level and that kind of focus,” Smith said. “That’s always a challenge especially early in the year.”
The Falcons likely won’t rush Okudah into the starting lineup.
“Yeah, but we will be smart,” Smith said. “Jeff is in a good spot, and we’ll see how this week goes, but it is hard to go from zero to 100.”
Patterson was limited in practice last week and was declared inactive 90 minutes before the start of the game against the Panthers.
The Bow Tie Chronicles
Credit: Miguel Martinez
Credit: Miguel Martinez
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