Atlanta Falcons Down 3 Injured Starters vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Who Replaces?
The Atlanta Falcons will be far from full health entering Sunday's Week 14 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Falcons coach Arthur Smith announced Friday that a trio of starters - defensive tackle David Onyemata (ankle), linebacker Nate Landman (left knee) and right tackle Kaleb McGary (right knee) - will be out Sunday with injuries.
None of the three participated in practice Friday, while cornerbacks Jeff Okudah (ankle) and A.J. Terrell (concussion protocol) both did. Okudah and Terrell are listed as questionable for Sunday, as is center Drew Dalman.
Receiver Mack Hollins (ankle) and cornerback Mike Hughes (hand) appear poised to return to action this week after missing Atlanta's 13-8 win over the New York Jets last Sunday.
For Smith and staff, the focus now becomes preparing for action with three starters already confirmed out - but who's next in line?
Landman and McGary have clear replacements, as they prematurely departed the victory in New York and opened opportunities for their backups.
In Landman's case, veteran linebacker Andre Smith Jr. entered the fold, collecting two tackles and a fumble recovery in seven defensive snaps.
“He had a really good day on teams, and then he had to go in there and play linebacker,” Smith said. “They tried to iso him on one. We rallied to the tackle. That’s the NFL, and then played really solid football. Got the fumble. Yeah, did a good job.”
Smith believes Smith Jr. took advantage of the increase in snaps, as did veteran swing tackle Storm Norton, who replaced McGary for Atlanta's final 53 offensive plays.
Norton did similar things when McGary went down in Week 5 against the Houston Texans, playing over half the snaps at right tackle and drawing praise from Smith for his work in relief.
It's a similar story this time around, with Smith complimenting Norton's play against the Jets.
“In a game that gets like that in those conditions, and the way the game is grinding out with a really talented front - if you’re not careful, and you don’t have the right guy, that could have been a game-changer,” Smith said. “He came in there, did his job and did it well.”
Smith also mentioned fourth-round rookie cornerback Clark Phillips III as another player who capitalized on more snaps, and if either of Terrell or Okudah can't play, the 21-year-old is in line for a heavy dose of reps again Sunday.
The picture becomes less clear with Onyemata inactive, as the Falcons are now down their top two defensive tackles with Grady Jarrett out for the season after tearing his ACL in Week 8.
Oct 22, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) is sacked by Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle David Onyemata (90) in the fourth quarter at Raymond James Stadium.
© Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Trade deadline acquisition Kentavius Street is coming off his best game as a Falcon, recording three total tackles and two tackles for loss against the Jets.
Street played under Falcons defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen at North Carolina State and again with the New Orleans Saints, generating familiarity that's allowed him to find early success.
“He’s played pretty good,” Nielsen said. “Playing very strong at the point of attack. Kentavius has excellent speed and burst. You can see him make some plays outside of the box that’s helped us. Had a play last week on a toss play, and he’s a pretty good pass rusher, so getting him in the lineup has helped our defense for sure.”
Beyond Street, Atlanta figures to continue building forward with Calais Campbell, Ta'Quon Graham, Albert Huggins, LaCale London, Bud Dupree, Lorenzo Carter and Zach Harrison on its defensive front, Smith said.
There's proof in the pudding that Atlanta has the depth needed to overcome its absentees Sunday - and Smith believes it's a sign of the organization's quality from both the front office and coaching staff.
“That’s why I say all the time I appreciate the way we work as a staff – coaching to personnel and personnel back to coaching,” Smith said. “It's a daily grind. That's your job. I get that, but there’s no egos involved. All we’re trying to do is make sure we have the best players, and they fit us, and we’re working that depth. You try to create scenarios every week to keep that going because it’s real.
“From camp, and then when you get into the season, those subtle moves pay off.”
Now, the Falcons are hoping to see their depth continue to pay off Sunday, with eyes focused on maintaining their one-game lead in the NFC South.
With a win, Atlanta will hold a two-game advantage plus the tiebreaker over Tampa Bay. New Orleans is set to host the Carolina Panthers (1-11), only adding to the importance of the Falcons vs. Buccaneers matchup.
Should Atlanta lose, a three-way tie atop the division is firmly in play ... but a win may make it a two-horse race.
And even with three starters injured and two others questionable to play, the Falcons believe they have the talent needed to survive and conquer - in large part because they did as such last Sunday.
Kickoff between Atlanta and Tampa Bay is set for 1 p.m. EST.
