Falcons Add Pair of Rookie Starters to Injury Report

The Atlanta Falcons and Buffalo Bills are set to square off on Monday Night Football, but where do they stand health-wise coming out of a bye week?

Atlanta Falcons safety Xavier Watts / Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga – The Atlanta Falcons are coming off an early bye week, but staring down a massive test with the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football. Josh Allen and the Bills are Super Bowl favorites and will be looking to avoid a two-game losing streak heading into a bye week of their own. 

Coming from the inactive week, the Falcons were eager to reset and get healthy before the 13-game stretch to finish the season. Yesterday’s injury report was a positive sign that they were moving in the right direction, health-wise. 

Defensive lineman Ta’Quon Graham (calf) was a full participant on Thursday for the first time this season after his 21-day window was opened this week. Running back Nathan Carter also returned to action after struggling with a hamstring issue that held him out of their Week 4 game with the Commanders. 

Also, cornerback A.J. Terrell Jr. (hamstring), wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge (groin), and cornerback Natrone Brooks (concussion/shoulder) were all back on the practice field in a limited capacity. All three of these players are trending towards playing for the Falcons on Monday, which would be fantastic news, especially with Terrell. 

In less-than-positive news for the Falcons, rookie defensive backs Xavier Watts and Billy Bowman Jr. were added to Friday’s injury report. This is not necessarily a reason to be concerned, but it could be something to monitor before Monday. 

Wide receiver Darnell Mooney (hamstring) was still a non-participant on Friday, as he was on Thursday. Mooney left their Week 4 win over the Commanders, but soft tissue injuries can be fickle, and the Falcons will likely take their time with him.

“Right now, Mooney is still day-to-day,” Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said Thursday. “We’ll have to see where that is and where he’s going to be. He’ll be out today. We’ll have a good feel for what it looks like moving forward.”

Cornerback Clark Phillips III also missed his second-straight practice. 

FULL PARTICIPANT 

• RB Nathan Carter (hamstring) – Full Participant Thurs, Fri
• DL Ta’Quon Graham (calf) – Full Participant Thurs, Fri

LIMITED PARTICIPANT

• CB A.J. Terrell Jr. (hamstring) – Limited Thurs, Fri
• WR KhaDarel Hodge (groin) – Limited Thurs, Fri
• CB Natrone Brooks (concussion/shoulder) – Limited Thurs, Fri
• DL LaCale London (triceps) – Limited Fri
• CB Billy Bowman Jr. (knee) – Limited Fri
• S Xavier Watts (ankle) – Limited Fri

DID NOT PARTICIPATE

• WR Darnell Mooney (shoulder) – DNP Thurs, Fri
• CB Clark Phillips III (triceps) – DNP Thurs, Fri

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