The Falcons have actually been pretty healthy to start 2021. The team made it through the first few weeks without major injuries, even though A.J. Terrell missed a game after suffering a concussion. That trend hasn’t continued, though, because Isaiah Oliver went down with a knee injury that will cost him the entire season.
All things considered, the Falcons have still been lucky in the injury department. Though the loss of Oliver is massive, it wasn’t one of the Falcons’ most important players that would ultimately derail the season. Moreover, Atlanta might be getting some reinforcements this week against the Jets. Yesterday, Arthur Smith told the media that Josh Andrews and Kendall Sheffield will practice and travel to London this week even though neither has been activated from the IR yet.
Josh Andrews and Kendall Sheffield will practice this week and travel to London.
Neither are activated from IR yet. #Falcons
— Michael Rothstein (@mikerothstein) October 6, 2021
Sheffield’s injury has remained undisclosed since he missed most of training camp, but he should provide some much-needed depth. I don’t see him making much of a difference at nickel, where Oliver was playing. Instead, the rookie trio of Richie Grant, Darren Hall, and Avery Williams will get a crack at defending the slot.
Andrews was widely considered the starting left guard for much of the offseason, but a broken hand stifled that plan, resulting in Jalen Mayfield taking over. Now that Mayfield has played four games, it is becoming increasingly unlikely that Andrews will replace him. The rookie third-round pick has taken significant strides in his play since being a butt of many jokes after the season opener.
The staff would have to be 100% sure that Andrews would come in and provide much more than Mayfield is because they’ve invested quite a bit in the former Michigan Wolverine. There is no reason to halt his development, though the insurance of Andrews is reassuring.
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