Atlanta Falcons receivers Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley, listed as questionable, are trending upward for Monday night’s game at Green Bay while the team ruled out four other players.
Starting safeties Keanu Neal and Ricardo Allen, starting defensive end Takk McKinley, and kicker Younghoe Koo won’t play due to injuries. Both McKinley and Koo are recovering from groin injuries, while Allen hyperextended his left elbow and Neal injured his left hamstring last week against the Chicago Bears.
With Koo unavailable, the Falcons plan to elevate recently signed Elliott Fry from the practice squad to kick at Lambeau Field. Fry has yet to appear in an NFL game after spending time with the Bears, Ravens, Panthers, and Buccaneers.
As for Jones and Ridley, both practiced all week but were limited coming off hamstring and ankle injuries, respectively. Falcons coach Dan Quinn said Saturday morning both Jones and Ridley are trending in the right direction.
Jones said Friday he felt “good” without fully committing to playing Monday night. He said his soft-tissue injury is a “day-to-day” thing.
“I feel good right now. I definitely feel good,” Jones said. “I’ve been running really well at practice. But, it’s just you don’t know. I’m not 100% with anything, but I feel good.”
Receiver Russell Gage is cleared to play after recovering from a concussion. The depth behind Jones, Ridley, and Gage includes Olamide Zaccheaus, Brandon Powell, and Christian Blake.
The Falcons’ secondary will be short-handed with rookie cornerback A.J. Terrell still on the reserve-COVID-19 list after last week’s positive test, veteran Darqueze Dennard on injured reserve with a hamstring injury, and Neal and Allen both unavailable.
Cornerback Kendall Sheffield, who missed the first three games due to a foot injury, is cleared to play and is expected to start at left cornerback opposite Isaiah Oliver at right cornerback. Blidi Wreh-Wilson is expected to play the nickel role with recently reinstated Jordan Miller behind.
Due to the injuries at safety, the Falcons are counting on rookie Jaylinn Hawkins to step in at strong safety with Sharrod Neasman backing up Damontae Kazee at free safety.
Defensive tackle Grady Jarrett (hip), defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. (ankle), linebacker Foye Oluokun (hamstring) and offensive tackle Kaleb McGary (MCL) are all expected to play coming off injuries.
The Falcons (0-3) will try to avoid their first 0-4 start since the 1999 season as they face Aaron Rodgers and the 3-0 Packers.
Source : ESPN
