Falcons second-year linebacker Foye Oluokun has played more snaps in recent games.
With Deion Jones chasing around Christian McCaffrey, Oluokun will be on the hot seat to help keep the Panthers under control.
He played 30 defensive snaps (41%) in the teams’ previous meeting Nov. 17.
“I like the fact that they are putting a little trust in me going out there with (De’Vondre Campbell) and (Jones). I see the standard that they play with. I want to make sure that I don’t have any drop off when they have me out there. It’s always a blessing being able to play. I try to make the most of my chances.”
The Falcons have been finding ways to get Oluokun on the field.
“When you are playing well, you have to find opportunities for that guy who is playing well,” Falcons coach Dan Quinn said. “That is certainly the case with Foye.”
Oluokun, a 2018 sixth-round pick from Yale, has 34 tackles and one tackle for a loss.
“He is really consistent and from a tackling standpoint, he doesn’t miss many,” Quinn said. “The leverage is right, his tackling is on point, and it kind of carried over from special teams. He has definitely earned more playing time.”
The Falcons also like Oluokun’s versatility.
“Last game, he had a series at (middle linebacker) and (weakside linebacker),” Quinn said. “(Oluokun) can go back and forth because there are some different nuances at both positions. He has definitely done that, and his mental capacity, brainpower, and speed – he doesn’t miss it when he goes in, and that is a big piece of it.”
Oluokun said it’s no big deal playing two spots.
“If I wanted to be on the field, I had to do that,” Oluokun said. “There are expecting it of me. They have expectations of you, you have to meet them if you want to get on the field. You have to do what they want.”
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