The Falcons have formally placed Caleb Huntley on injured reserve, the team announced Tuesday, an expected move after the running back suffered an Achilles tendon injury early in Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints.
Head coach Arthur Smith said Monday that Huntley was done for the year, and the transaction was made the next day.
The team did not add another cornerback in a corresponding move, opting instead to sign edge rusher David Anenih off Pittsburgh’s practice squad. The rookie and University of Houston product had 20.5 sacks in college and has yet to make his NFL debut.
This gives the Falcons an opportunity to evaluate him over the final weeks of the season to see if he can add on in 2023.
The Falcons should be fine at running back, with Cordarrelle Patterson, Tyler Allgeier and Avery Williams available as rushing options.
Smith also announced on Wednesday that John FitzPatrick will return to practice for the sixth round after spending the season on injured reserve. He is eligible to be on the active roster during a 21-day practice period that has just begun and extends beyond the end of the regular season, but is under no obligation to do so.
The 6-foot-7, 250-pound Georgia alum is a quality blocker with pass-catching ability, an intrinsic talent that dealt with injuries during his last season with the Bulldogs.
Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith looks on during warmups before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Brandon Magnus/© 2022 Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier #25 scores a running back during the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Shanna Lockwood/© 2022 Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier #25 lines up before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Brandon Magnus/© 2022 Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons safety Jovante Moffatt #20 boards the plane at Atlanta Airport in Atlanta, GA on December 17, 2022 on the way to play against the New Orleans Saints. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Shanna Lockwood/© 2022 Atlanta Falcons
An Atlanta Falcons fan wears a jersey during the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon /Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Grady Jarrett #97 reacts after a tackle during the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon / Atlanta Falcons )
Atlanta Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson #84 reaches before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Brandon Magnus/© 2022 Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith prepares to walk out on the field before facing the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Brandon Magnus/© 2022 Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge #12 and Atlanta Falcons cornerback Mike Ford #28 react after a play during the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/ Atlanta Falcons)
Shanna Lockwood/© 2022 Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder #4 prepares to throw the ball during the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon / Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder #4 walks out to warmups before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Brandon Magnus/© 2022 Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 runs before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Brandon Magnus/© 2022 Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons backup cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 arrives before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Brandon Magnus/© 2022 Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier #25 carries the ball during the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Shanna Lockwood/© 2022 Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder #4 leads the huddle before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons )
Brandon Magnus/© 2022 Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Frank Darby #88 arrives before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Brandon Magnus/© 2022 Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman Jake Matthews #70, Atlanta Falcons guard Chris Lindstrom #63, Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Grady Jarrett #97, Atlanta Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson #84, and Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 walks out to the toss before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Brandon Magnus/© 2022 Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder #4 lines up before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Brandon Magnus/© 2022 Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 runs the ball against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Brandon Magnus/© 2022 Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman Drew Dalman #67 looks on during the National Anthem before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Brandon Magnus/© 2022 Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter #9 after a play during the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Brandon Magnus/© 2022 Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder #4 prepares to throw the ball during the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Brandon Magnus/© 2022 Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons running back Avery Williams #35 boards the plane at Atlanta Airport in Atlanta, GA on December 17, 2022 on the way to play against the New Orleans Saints. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Shanna Lockwood/© 2022 Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons inside linebacker Rashaan Evans #54 makes a sack during the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Brandon Magnus/© 2022 Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder #4 and Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo #7 high five during the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/ Atlanta Falcons)
Shanna Lockwood/© 2022 Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Grady Jarrett #97 reaches out before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Shanna Lockwood/© 2022 Atlanta Falcons
What position do the Falcons need most?
Certain Requirements
- Corner back. By A.J. Terrell and Casey Hayward out with injuries, the Falcons’ lack of depth in the corner exposed. This may interest you : Louisiana police officer charged in shooting, killing 2 high school cheerleaders while chasing suspect. …
- Left Guard. …
- Receiver. …
- Outside Linebacker. …
- Safety. …
- Centre. …
- Left Party. …
- Run Back.
Are the Falcons going to draft a QB? The Atlanta Falcons selected quarterback Desmond Ridder in the third round of the 2022 draft, but the rookie has yet to make his NFL debut. If you watched head coach Arthur Smith’s Monday press conference, however, it appears that Ridder could see the field on the weekend of 15.
What pick will the Falcons have? According to ESPN, the Falcons have an 8.6 percent chance at the first overall pick, and a 56.6 percent chance of selecting inside the top 10. Therefore, the team landed no. 5 overall on ESPN’s projected order.
Will the Falcons be good in 2022? The Atlanta Falcons will not be a contender in 2022; instead, they will be a team still trying to find themselves and pave a path back into the conversation. With plenty of young talent and some growing to do on the sideline, they could be competitive on a week-to-week basis, even if the losses come as often as the wins.
What picks do the Falcons have in 2023?
ATLANTA – The No. 1 overall pick will be 8 by the Falcons in the 2023 NFL Draft, following a 30-17 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday to end the 2022 regular season. Read also : Junior Bengals cheerleading is more popular than ever after the Super Bowl season.
Who has the first pick for 2023? Round 1. Cleveland â Houston (PD). Cleveland traded first- and third-round picks to Houston along with 2022 and 2024 first- and fourth-round picks in exchange for quarterback Deshaun Watson and a 2024 sixth-round pick. Denver â Seattle (PD).
What happened to the Falcons quarterback?
Who is Falcons QB now? The Falcons announced the move on Monday and said it was a performance-based decision. FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The move that was about to happen is now official. Read also : Robbie Gould is the best to warm up while the players introduced, the cheerleaders are on the field (UPDATE). Arthur Smith named Desmond Ridder the starting quarterback in Atlanta.
Is Mariota benched? The Atlanta Falcons benched Marcus Mariota last week. One day later, he ended his tenure with the team. The Falcons informed Mariota on Dec. 8 that they would be moving rookie Desmond Ridder.
How is Mariota doing with the Falcons?
Mariota was later said to be facing surgery and landed on injured reserve, ending his 2022 season. CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones gave us a look at the shocking end to Mariota’s 2022 season and why they mean Mariota won’t return Atlanta.
Will Marcus Mariota start for the Falcons? The Falcons are officially replacing veteran Marcus Mariota with their 2022 third-round pick during their bye week, preparing him to be the starter next week against the Saints, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Thursday.