Falcon Report

WATCH: Hayden Hurst Scores Touchdown In Falcons Return

The Falcons sorely missed him the last three weeks.
Jeremy Brener|
WATCH: Hayden Hurst Scores Touchdown In Falcons Return
WATCH: Hayden Hurst Scores Touchdown In Falcons Return

Atlanta Falcons tight end Hayden Hurst has missed the team's last three games.

However, he returned Sunday and came back in a big way, scoring his first touchdown since Week 5 against the New York Jets in London, making this his first 2021 score on American soil.

The drive capped off a 10-play, 49-yard drive that began on a fumble recovery from Grady Jarrett, the third turnover from the Falcons defense today.

The touchdown grab is Hurst's first reception of the game.

The Falcons activated Hurst from injured reserve Monday after sitting due an ankle injury.

With Hurst returning, it should take some heat off of rookie tight end Kyle Pitts, who has been double-teamed often in Hurst's absence.

The addition of Hurst should also allow wide receiver Russell Gage and running back Cordarrelle Patterson to have more opportunities to thrive, and give quarterback Matt Ryan more options in a spread offense.

Originally a first-round draft pick by the Baltimore Ravens, Hurst had just 13 catches for 163 yards and a touchdown in 12 games as a rookie in 2018.

Hurst was acquired by the Falcons prior to the 2020 season. He had 56 catches for 571 yards last year but has just 20 catches for 158 yards in nine games in 2021.

A strong finish to 2021 would not only help the Falcons the final five games of the season but would greatly enhance Hurst's value in free agency.

The Falcons lead 2-14 over the Panthers midway through the fourth quarter.

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.

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