The Falcons went deep into their bench at the tight end position and came up with a few plays.
Joshua Perkins and D.J. Tialavea, who were the team’s fourth and fifth tight ends at the start of the season, came up with touchdown catches in 33-16 victory against the Carolina Panthers on Saturday.
Perkins made a nice 26-yard touchdown grab between two defenders and Tialavea later added a 1-yard touchdown grab.
The Falcons have been hit hard at the tight end position by rash of injuries. Jacob Tamme was lost for the season with shoulder injury and Austin Hooper missed this game with a knee injury.
Perkins, who made the team as an undrafted free agent from Washington, ran a nice route and caught the ball between cornerback James Bradberry and linebacker Thomas Davis for the score.
“(Matt Ryan) gave me an opportunity to go get the ball and I just wanted to take full advantage of it,” Perkins said. “I just wanted to build trust with Matt, go up and get the ball for him.”
Tialavea, who has been on the practice squad, was activated to the 53-man roster on Thursday. He caught a 1-yard touchdown in the second quarter.
“It wasn’t the prettiest play,” said Tialavea, who’s family took a flight in for the game. “(Matt Ryan) made it happen and I just tried to do my job.”
Tialavea, who had spent a year out of football, was elated after the grab.
“All that I know is that every play that I got in, I would try to give 100 percent and leave it all on the field,” Tialavea said. “You never know if this is the only game you’ll ever play, so I wanted to go play hard with no regrets.”
Tight end Levine Toilolo also had a catch for 10 yards.
Falcons coach Dan Quinn said he hopes to have Hooper back for the regular-season finale against the New Orleans Saints next Sunday at the Georgia Dome. The team also worked out former Alabama tight end Brian Vogler on Thursday.
“We just have to be able to pick up where everybody else left off,” Perkins said.
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