Several key contributors for the Falcons are dealing with injuries as a bevy of players miss Monday’s practice ahead of the club’s second preseason contest against the Bengals at home, including Jeff Okudah, Mike Hughes, Cornell Armstrong, Matt Hennessy, Drew Dalman, Frank Darby, Cordarrelle Patterson, and Ta’Quon Graham.
Missing from Monday’s practice for the Falcons:
– CB Jeff Okudah
– CB Mike Hughes
– CB Cornell Armstrong
– OL Matt Hennessy
– OL Drew Dalman
– WR Frank Darby
– RB Cordarrelle Patterson
– DL Ta’Quon Graham— Terrin Waack (@TerrinWaack) August 14, 2023
Arthur Smith noted on Sunday that Hughes, Darby, Armstrong, and Patterson are dealing with soft tissue injuries.
Per Falcons HC Arthur Smith —Mike Hughes, Frank Darby, Cornell Armstrong and Cordarrelle Patterson all dealing with some soft tissue injuries.
— Michael Rothstein (@mikerothstein) August 13, 2023
For a lot of those missing practice, it’s inconsequential to their chances of making the roster.
Okudah, Hennessy, Dalman, Patterson, and Graham are in no danger of being cut. All will have prominent roles in 2023. Patterson’s injury shouldn’t worry fans; I wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t appear in any of the preseason contests anyways.
Hennessy and Dalman are in line to compete for or assume starting roles. The former will be the first interior reserve lineman. Graham is set for a rotational role behind Grady Jarrett, Calais Campbell, and David Onyemata. Okudah is still dealing with the ankle injury that has kept him out for the last week; his timetable to return is still unknown.
As for Darby, missing anytime isn’t great for the prospect of making the final 53-man roster.
The Falcons are preparing for a home exhibition against the Bengals in which the starters are expected to play, which is an exciting development for the new-look roster. However, if Hennessy and Dalman miss the contest, I wouldn’t let Desmond Ridder out there.
I don’t care if four of the five are starters; not having every single starting lineman out there is malpractice. For Patterson, there’s no reason to play him at all in the preseason.
We will provide updates as they become available.
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Photographer: John Byrum/Icon Sportswire
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