Player Outlook
The Falcons DST averaged the third-fewest Fantasy points per game in 2022 before going out and adding Calais Campbell and David Onyemata to help up front, Bud Dupree to boost the pass rush and former Lions Mike Hughes and Jeff Okudah at cornerback. In all, the additions don't add up to enough pieces to improve a defense that is still at least a year away. Leave this DST on your waiver wires.

Fantasy News

  • Falcons' Troy Andersen: Will miss extended time

    Rotowire
    Andersen will require surgery to address a torn pectoral muscle and could be sidelined for 4-to-6 months, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. After being placed on injured reserve Tuesday, Andersen will have to miss a minimum of four games, but the Falcons are anticipating him being sidelined for much longer. Given the projected recovery timeline, Andersen looks like he'll end up missing the rest of the regular season, though the linebacker could have a shot at returning for the playoffs, if the Falcons earn a postseason spot. The Falcons will likely turn to Nate Landman to start in place of Andersen, just as they did when Andersen missed the team's Week 2 win over the Packers with a concussion. Andersen had put himself on the IDP radar during the two games in which he played, totaling 19 tackles and a half sack.
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  • Falcons' Troy Andersen: Going onto IR

    Rotowire
    Atlanta placed Andersen (shoulder) on its injured reserve list Tuesday, Terrin Waack of the Falcons' official site reports. As was feared after Coach Arthur Smith made a discouraging statement regarding Andersen's shoulder early in the week, he'll now have to spend at least Atlanta's next four games in recovery. Nate Landman figures to step in as a starter until Andersen is ready to return.
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  • Falcons' Troy Andersen: Injury may be serious

    Rotowire
    Coach Arthur Smith said Monday that the arm/shoulder injury Andersen sustained during Sunday's 20-6 loss at Detroit "didn't look good," Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports. The specifics of the issue Andersen is dealing with are still unknown, but his coach's comments don't bode well for his recovery timeline. It will be worth watching whether Andersen ends up moving to injured reserve in the coming days.
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  • Falcons' Mike Hughes: Handles return duties again

    Rotowire
    Hughes returned two kickoffs for 27 yards and three punts for 11 yards during Sunday's 20-6 loss to the Lions. Hughes has handled kick- and punt-return duties in back-to-back weeks after Scotty Miller and Dee Alford shared those responsibilities in the season opener. Cordarrelle Patterson (thigh) has yet to suit up this season, but when he's available, he should handle more kick returns than he has in previous years. However, Hughes appears to have solidified himself as the punt returner, a vacancy opened by Avery Williams' season-ending knee injury during training camp.
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  • Falcons' Troy Andersen: Suffers shoulder injury Sunday

    Rotowire
    Andersen (shoulder) recorded nine tackles (eight solo) during Sunday's 20-6 loss to the Lions. Andersen, who missed Week 2 due to a concussion, played 90 percent of the team's defensive snaps in Week 3 before suffering a shoulder injury, per D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. In his first two games as a full-time starter, the second-year linebacker has recorded 19 tackles and a half-sack. If he can stay on the field, Andersen has the ability to rack up IDP points quickly, but his health is emerging as a red flag thus far. The severity of his current injury remains unclear, but his status on Atlanta's initial injury report for Week 4, which will drop Wednesday, should provide further clarity.
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  • Falcons' Kaden Elliss: Season-high 10 tackles in loss

    Rotowire
    Elliss registered 10 tackles (five solo) during Sunday's 20-6 loss to the Lions. Elliss recorded his first double-digit tally of the season and finished second on the team behind Jessie Bates (11). Elliss has 25 stops and a sack through his first three games in Atlanta, and he's emerging as a strong IDP candidate. Last year, he finished with 78 tackles, including seven sacks, across 17 games with New Orleans, but he's on pace to surpass those numbers in 2023.
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  • Falcons' Jessie Bates: Picks off another pass

    Rotowire
    Bates recorded 11 tackles (six solo) and an interception during Sunday's 20-6 loss to the Lions. Bates finished with a team-high 11 stops, marking his second double-digit tackle effort of the season. He also picked off an overthrown pass by Jared Goff at the end of the third quarter, giving him three interceptions through his first three games in Atlanta. Bates hasn't wasted any time asserting himself as an alpha with the Falcons, and he figures to be a top-tier IDP option moving forward.
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  • Falcons' Troy Andersen: Carted off field

    Rotowire
    Andersen (arm) was carted off the field during Atlanta's 20-6 loss to Detroit on Sunday, Tori McElhaney of the team's official site reports. Andersen was hurt late in the fourth quarter and did not return to the game. Nate Landman took over for the injured 24-year-old and should continue to do so if Andersen ends up missing time.
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  • Falcons' Jeff Okudah: Will make season debut Sunday

    Rotowire
    Okudah (foot) is active for Sunday's matchup against the Lions, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports. Okudah missed the first two games of the campaign due to a foot injury that popped up during training camp. He was a full participant at each practice of Week 3 prep, so it's not surprising to see him cleared, even though he was listed as questionable. Okudah will make his season debut against his former team, but his role may be limited as he works his way back to game speed.
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  • Falcons' Jeff Okudah: Good chance to debut Sunday

    Rotowire
    Okudah (foot) is expected to play Sunday in Detroit as long as he doesn't experience any issues during pregame warmups, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. Okudah injured his foot during practice in early August and missed the Falcons' first two games of the regular season. However, he was a full participant in practice this week and appears set to make his team debut despite carrying a questionable tag into Sunday. With Okudah's return, Tre Flowers will likely return to a reserve role.
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  • Falcons' Jeff Okudah: Officially questionable for Sunday

    Rotowire
    Okudah (foot) is listed as questionable for Sunday's Week 3 game against the Lions. Okudah is still looking to make his Falcons debut after initially getting injured last month. He got in a round of full practices this week and should be on the probable side of questionable. Okudah has extra motivation for this game after the Lions traded him to Atlanta this past offseason.
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  • Falcons' Troy Andersen: Clears protocols

    Rotowire
    Andersen has cleared the league's concussion protocols and practiced in full Thursday. Andersen was unable to play in Sunday's win over the Packers, but the second-year linebacker has now logged back-to-back full practices and should be considered good to go for Week 3 against the Lions. He should return to his role as one of two starting inside linebackers for Atlanta's 3-4 defense.
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  • Falcons' Jeff Okudah: Practices fully Wednesday

    Rotowire
    Okudah (foot) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reports. Okudah looks poised to make his Falcons debut Week 3 against his former team in the Lions after he was traded from Detroit to Atlanta during the offseason. He was initially injured back in early August during training camp.
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  • Falcons' Troy Andersen: Practices fully Wednesday

    Rotowire
    Andersen (concussion) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reports. It's unclear if Andersen has cleared the league's concussion protocol, but this puts him on track to return for Week 3 against the Lions after missing Week 2. Nathan Landman started and played 98 percent of the defensive snaps in Andersen's absence this past Sunday versus Green Bay.
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  • Breon Borders: Tries out with Panthers

    Rotowire
    Borders had a tryout with the Panthers on Tuesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. Borders was suspended for two games by the NFL in June for an undisclosed reason. He spent training camp in Atlanta, but was let go. The 28-year-old is now free to look for a fresh start.
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  • Falcons' Mike Hughes: Handles return duties in Week 2

    Rotowire
    Hughes returned two punts for 20 yards and one kickoff for 19 yards during Sunday's 25-24 win over the Packers. Hughes was a healthy scratch for the season opener, but he suited up for Week 2 and handled return duties. Scotty Miller and Dee Alford shared those responsibilities in Week 1, so it appears the Falcons are still trying to figure out who their best option is.
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  • Falcons' Richie Grant: Modest production in win

    Rotowire
    Grant recorded four tackles (three solo) during Sunday's 25-24 win over the Packers. It wasn't a prolific day for Atlanta's defense, as the offense was on the field for most of the game (82 offensive snaps to just 50 defensive). However, Grant still made some nice open-field tackles and is off to a strong start in 2023, totaling 11 tackles (six solo) and one pass defense while playing 100 percent of the team's defensive snaps.
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  • Falcons' Kaden Elliss: Records first sack of 2023

    Rotowire
    Elliss recorded six solo tackles, including one sack, during Sunday's 25-24 win over the Packers. Elliss led Atlanta in tackles and recorded his first sack of 2023, taking down Jordan Love on a third-and-11 play in the first quarter. The newcomer has made his presence felt during his first two games with the Falcons, recording 15 tackles overall, and he appears to be a strong IDP option moving forward.
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  • Falcons' Jeff Okudah: Remains out

    Rotowire
    Okudah (foot) is inactive for Sunday's Week 2 matchup versus Green Bay, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports. Okudah will miss a second straight game due to a foot injury he suffered during training camp. The cornerback was able to practice in a limited fashion Wednesday through Friday after not practicing at all ahead of Week 1, so it appears he's making progress and may be able to make his Falcons debut in Week 3. However, Okudah will presumably have to log at least one full session before he gets the green light.
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  • Falcons' Jeff Okudah: Listed as questionable for Week 2

    Rotowire
    Okudah (foot) is listed as questionable for Sunday's Week 2 game against the Packers, Josh Kendall of The Athletic reports. Okudah was injured in practice during training camp and missed the Week 1 opener. Coach Arthur Smith said there's a scenario in which Okudah is active against Green Bay but doesn't start, according to Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com. Acquired in a trade from the Lions during the offseason, Okudah is expected to eventually be a starting corner this season for Atlanta.
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