On Monday, Kevin Stefanski announced that Samson Ebukam and Zachariah Branch are both dealing with hamstring injuries. Neither will be available when the team travels to Madrid to face the Cincinnati Bengals.
Stefanski: Ebukam and Branch have hamstring injuries. They will be out this game. #Falcons
— Marc Raimondi (@marcraimondi) November 2, 2026
The good news: James Pearce Jr. will be. The star pass rusher’s suspension has officially been lifted by the league.
#Falcons EDGE James Pearce Jr.’s suspension has officially been lifted by the league today.
— Marc Raimondi (@marcraimondi) November 2, 2026
Even without Pearce, the Falcons have been among the best teams in the league at generating pressure all season. The hope is his presence can turn more of that pressure into sacks. Atlanta finished second in the league in sacks a year ago, bringing down the quarterback a franchise-record 57 times. Through eight games this season, they have 18 — still a respectable figure, but one Pearce should help pad almost immediately.
The Falcons also made a couple of roster moves, releasing defensive end Drake Jackson and linebacker Jared Ivey.
The #Falcons have released DE Drake Jackson and LB Jared Ivey, per the team.
— Marc Raimondi (@marcraimondi) November 2, 2026
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Photo: IMAGO / Icon Sportswire