Here are five things to know about the Falcons on Monday.
1. Practice: The Falcons, who are 3-4, return to practice at 12:15 p.m. after their bye week. The Falcons have won two games in a row.Here's the timetable for linebacker Deion Jones' return.
2. Trading deadline: The Falcons normally are not active at the trading deadline, which is a 4 p.m. Tuesday, but their depleted defense could use some help. The Falcons have neglected to go outside for help, but with the offense playing so well it makes sense for them to add a piece our two for the defense. There are trade rumors swirling around safeties Landon Collins, Deone Bucannon and Karl Joseph.
3. Next game: The Falcons play at Washington at 1 p.m. Sunday. Washington defeated the Giants 20-13 Sunday to improve to 5-2. This will be the 25th meeting. Washington leads the series 14-9-1. Ol' Man River, Adrian Peterson rushed for 149 yards, including a 64-yard touchdown run to power Washington over the Giants.
4. Offensive line help: The Falcons placed right guard Brandon Fusco on injured reserve with a broken ankle and signed veterans Austin Pasztor and Rees Odhiambo. Both will have their first practices with the team today.
5. A look at the NFC South: The Saints improved to 6-1 with a 30-20 victory over the Vikings on Sunday. The Panthers defeated the Ravens 36-21 to improve to 5-2. It was an impressive win against the league's top-ranked defense and their ninth consecutive win at home. The Bucs, who benched quarterback Jameis Winston after his fourth interception, rallied but lost to the Bengals, 37-34, on a field goal in the final seconds. The Bucs are 3-4 and tied for last place with the Falcons. The Falcons trail the Saints by three games with nine to play. Here's an article from the Tampa Times' Rick Stroud on the horrible situation that Winston has put the Bucs in.
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