The Falcons could receive a defensive boost ahead of their third consecutive NFC South game.
Atlanta designated Nate Landman from the injured reserve on Monday, the club announced in a press release. He had a couple of lower body injuries that landed him on the IR, but his 21-day window to be activated has offically opened.
The Panthers loom in Week 6 as the Falcons face their third divisional opponent in as many weeks. Getting Landman back is a tremendous boost to an inconsistent defense and injured position group.
He saw time in the opener against the Steelers but was placed on the IR before the Falcons’ Week 2 contest in Philadelphia against the Eagles. The linebacking core took another hit shortly after too.
Troy Andersen suffered a knee injury in Week 4 and didn’t play during the short week against the Buccaneers on Thursday Night Football. In his place, rookie JD Bertrand started next to Kaden Elliss.
Andersen’s status for Week 6 is unknown, but the Falcons have a chance to get Nate Landman back. The breakout player of the 2023 campaign totaled 110 tackles, seven of them for a loss, in 14 starts last year.
Getting Landman back will not only help the Falcons against the run, but it may also help the pass rush. No, Landman isn’t a great pass rusher himself, but his presence would theoretically free up Kaden Elliss, who is one of the team’s best pass rushers.
If Landman and Andersen are healthy and are trusted to play next to one another while Elliss rushes the passer, the Falcons might actually show some semblance of a pass rush.
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Photographer: Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire
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