Falcons staff could have difficult decision ahead as Josh Andrews returns to practice

The Falcons could have a difficult decision ahead as Josh Andrews continues to progress. Arthur Smith told the media Wednesday that Andrews and Kendall Sheffield will be on the field today. This week is the first time the Falcons can activate players off the IR, but Andrews and Sheffield might not be ready just yet.

Arthur Smith updated the status of some guys, said we'll see a lot of them this week.

Kendall Sheffield and Josh Andrews will be on the field today. As will Russell Gage, Frank Darby (Smith said they are day-to-day) and AJ Terrell, too, though he's on a different schedule.

— Tori McElhaney (@tori_mcelhaney) September 29, 2021

When Andrews is finally healthy, the staff will have an important decision ahead of them. They could insert the veteran at left guard or continue to let Jalen Mayfield develop. The rookie third-round pick put together one of the worst debuts in recent memory in the season opener but has improved substantially over the last two weeks.

In what was his best game so far, Mayfield held his own against the Giants last Sunday. He looked comfortable in the run game, specifically getting to the second level of the defense. He didn’t have to face much of Leonard Williams, by far New York’s best interior defender, so that might have altered his performance, but the Falcons have to be pleased with the steady improvement Mayfield has shown thus far. So, should the staff elevate the veteran and insert him into the lineup or stick with the improving rookie?

I believe the answer is obvious, which I talked about yesterday.

This is the first week the staff can activate Andrews off the IR, but he might not be ready. When he is, though, I would be shocked if they took Mayfield out for the journeyman veteran. He’s stacking encouraging performances, so I think the staff will re-evaluate in the coming weeks. After the Washington Football Team and Jets in London, the Falcons will start a run of more formidable opponents — the Dolphins, Saints, Panthers, and Cowboys. At that point, if Mayfield hasn’t improved, Andrews should be the choice.