ATLANTA – After being listed as questionable on Friday, Arnold Ebiketie (forearm), Chuma Edoga (knee) and Jalen Dalton (toe) were all listed as inactive for the Falcons’ Week 13 matchup against the Steelers at home.
Ebiketie’s status has been on many radars during Week 13 preparation, as he has been limited throughout the week with a forearm injury. He was seen wearing a brace/cast on his left arm during practice.
It is an injury that lasted for Ebiketie. Although he was active last week against Washington, the rookie outside linebacker only played in nine defensive snaps against the Commanders before the forearm injury sidelined him for the remainder of the game. With the Falcons bye week coming up this coming week, this could be the Falcons simply being conservative with Ebiketie to make sure he’s at 100 percent when the final weeks of the season arrive.
Ebiketie’s absence could create an extended role for all of the Falcons outside linebackers. Lorenzo Carter and Ade Ogundeji will keep their starting roles, but their snap numbers could increase, as could DeAngelo Malone’s. The Falcons also used a standard practice squad height on Quinton Bell on Saturday, adding some depth back to the position in Ebiketie’s absence.
Along with Ebiketie, Edoga and Dalton were both listed as inactive after working through injuries the past two weeks. Unlike Ebiketie, the two did not participate in at least one exercise this week. Although neither were starters, they played an important role in the rotation and depth at the line of scrimmage.
With Elijah Wilkinson yet to be activated from injured reserve to the active roster and Edoga inactive again, the Falcons will likely continue to start Colby Gossett at left guard.
Here is the full list of Falcons inactives for Week 13:
