FLOWERY BRANCH, GA. — Losing prominent Kyle Pitts to injury would be a huge blow to the Falcons’ offense, especially during their mid-season with Atlanta in the race for top spot in the NFC South.
The second-year pro was placed on injured reserve Monday. Despite these adjustments in the offense, Arthur Smith has consistently emphasized the confidence in the depth he has in tight spaces.
Pitts’ absence now leaves the Falcons on offense with a tight four games on the active roster in MyCole Pruitt, Parker Hesse, Anthony Firsker and Feleipe Franks. Even though, Franks and Firsker were both inactive against the Bears on Sunday, Smith said that he will continue to evaluate the two players going forward.
The Falcons signed tight-knit John Raine to the practice squad Monday after putting Pitts on IR to help perfect depth.
Pruitt and Hesse have both fared well on the call-up this season and are likely to be Atlanta’s top tight ends going forward.
Since Pruitt entered the active roster during Week 7, his offensive production has been solid across the board. The stats may not tell the story, but if you ask Smith about Pruitt he will tell you why he’s been so important on this offense since landing in Atlanta.
“MyCole is an excellent blocker at the point of attack in a variety of schemes,” said Smith on Wednesday. “He has a good feel in space, smart footballer, multi-sport guy, plays a lot of good games.”
Pruitt is a professional seven years after being drafted in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL Draft. He has experience playing on Smith’s offense during his time at Tennessee, one of the reasons why Pruitt is now in Atlanta.
“Just getting to know Art and the system,” says Pruitt. “I feel like this is a place where I can step in and contribute all along.”
Sunday’s win against the Bears further demonstrated Pruitt’s contribution.
After the game, Smith said that Pruitt “stepped up time” and that “there were little things, nuances to the game plan that he put in place that no one will ever figure out.”
The same sentiment applies to Hesse, who has played in 10 games this season with five receptions for 50 yards. Late in the third quarter against the Bears, Hesse perfected it to the point, pushing Bears defensive back Kyler Gordon into the end zone for a rushing touchdown Marcus Mariota.
Those things don’t show up on the stat sheet but they do make all the difference in the Falcons’ overall offensive production.
With Pitts out, it could lead to a wider role for Pruitt and Hesse. The mindset, however, doesn’t change going forward.
“I’ve been ready all along to take whatever is thrown at me,” says Pruitt. “So it’s going to be the same approach. I’ve taken the same approach all year so that’s going to be the game plan.”
It won’t be easy to replace a player like Pitts, but the tight ends on the active roster will band together to try.
“You know you talk about the start of the year with a guy like CP right? You have to fill that role with a few other people. It’s a similar situation with Kyle,” said Mariota. “You know he’s turned into one of our better players at tight blocking. He’s a tremendous force in the passing game, so to fill that void you have to have a few guys going forward. We have a great tight group and I think we are more than capable of doing it.”
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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The Atlanta Falcons defeat John Raine #41 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, November 23, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Jaleel Johnson #90 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus #17 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith trains in Flowery Branch, Georgia, Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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XXXXX during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, November 23, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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Atlanta Falcons defender Dylan Mabin #39 during training in Flowery Branch, Georgia, Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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Atlanta Falcons cornerback Matt Hankins #30 drinks from a Gatorade bottle during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, Wednesday, November 23, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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The Atlanta Falcons run behind Cordarelle Patterson #84 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, Wednesday, November 23, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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Atlanta Falcons defeat Feleipe Franks #15 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, Wednesday, November 23, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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Atlanta Falcons inside quarterback Rashaan Evans #54 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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Atlanta Falcons #17 wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus and cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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The Atlanta Falcons run against the #25 Tyler Allgeier during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Kobe Smith #72 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota #1 drinks from a Gatorade bottle during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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Atlanta Falcons cornerback Isaiah Oliver #26 during training in Flowery Branch, Georgia, Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota #1 and running back Tyler Allgeier #25 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Ra’Shaun Henry #81 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, November 23, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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The Atlanta Falcons defense ends Amani Bledsoe #94 and defensive tackle Kobe Smith #72 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, November 23, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Josh Ali #80 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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Who is Atlanta’s #1 RB?
| Post | No. | Player 1 |
|---|---|---|
| RB | 25 | Allgeier, Tyler 22/5 |
| FB | 40 | SMITH, KEITH SF19 |
| Defense | ||
| DEF |
Who’s the number one running back in Atlanta? Cordarelle Patterson leads the Atlanta Falcons’ offense in 2022. On the same subject : Panthers Fan Caught in Provocative Cheerleading Video – Game 7.
Who is the Atlantas WR1? Falcons Week 1 starting line-up: London Drake listed as WR1.
What NFL player got suspended for gambling?
Critics insist that, in suspending Calvin Ridley for betting on football, the NFL is guilty of something worse. To see also : Philadelphia’s George Washington High School is the first to send a cheerleading team to nationals. Hypocrisy.
Who got suspended from the NFL for gambling? “The NFL has suspended Miles Austin for betting from a legal mobile account on non-NFL professional sports and table games,” Deni said. “Miles does not bet on any NFL game in violation of the betting policy for NFL personnel. He has been fully cooperative with the NFL investigation.
How many players have been suspended for gambling in the NFL? But in the four years since the Supreme Court lifted a sports betting ban that kept him out of nearly the entire country, the NFL has suspended two players from betting. Previously, it had not been suspended since 1983. The last player to be suspended before Ridley, defensive back Josh Shaw, was suspended in 2019.
What did Calvin Ridley gamble?
Ridley’s story is a cautionary tale about gambling complicated by his departure from the team midway through the 2021 season to deal with mental health issues. On the same subject : Who are the strongest cheerleaders in Division III? 13 participants give a shout out. He played in only five games, and it was later discovered that he was betting on NFL games.
How much did Calvin Ridley bet? Falcons receiver Calvin Ridley should make $11 million in 2022. He will all lose (or at least wait at least a year to earn) more than $1,500. The NFL had suspended Ridley for at least a year for betting on football. On Twitter, Ridley admitted that he bet $1,500.
Does Calvin Ridley have a gambling problem? Ridley, 27, insists he bets on the game, but claims he only bets $1500 and he has no gambling problem.
