The Atlanta Falcons are facing several injuries ahead of their Week 12 game against the New Orleans Saints. The team has placed quarterback Michael Penix Jr. on injured reserve due to a partially torn ACL in his left knee, which will require surgery and end his season.
Head coach Raheem Morris addressed the situation, stating, “We’ll have Kirk (Cousins), obviously, he’s our starting quarterback, going out there and playing for us. We’ll sign Easton Stick to the active roster, get him acclimated and all the things that we gotta get done for him to get on an active roster. And we’ll sign Kyle Trask to our practice squad, bringing him in (Wednesday), doing some of those things to move forward, to continue the rest of the season in order to go find a way to get a win, get a win this week.”
Penix was listed as a non-participant on Wednesday’s injury report because he was still officially on the active roster at the start of the league day before being moved to injured reserve.
Morris also provided an update on wide receiver Drake London. He had previously described London’s knee injury as “week to week” after London was hurt late in last Sunday’s loss against the Carolina Panthers. On Wednesday, Morris said he does not expect London to play against New Orleans this weekend: “Yeah, usually when I say week to week, I mean, hopefully next week,” Morris said. “I don’t think he’ll be going this week.” Morris confirmed that London’s injury is related to his PCL.
London did not participate in Wednesday’s practice session.
On a more positive note for Atlanta’s defense, inside linebacker Divine Deablo returned to practice after being sidelined with a fractured forearm four weeks ago. His 21-day window has opened for possible promotion back onto the active roster. Morris commented earlier this week: “Assuming everything goes well,” Morris said Monday, “he should be back playing.” Deablo participated in practice with limited activity and wore protection on his left arm.
Other notable names from Wednesday’s injury report include full participation by cornerback Mike Hughes (neck) and limited participation from safety Jessie Bates III (rest), edge Jalon Walker (rest), cornerbacks Dee Alford (concussion), A.J. Terrell Jr. (rest), Billy Bowman Jr. (rest), ILB Malik Verdon (shoulder), DL Brandon Dorlus (oblique), EDGE Leonard Floyd (hamstring), and guard Matthew Bergeron (ankle). Players who did not participate were WR Drake London (knee), QB Michael Penix Jr. (knee), S Xavier Watts (illness), ILB Josh Woods (hamstring), G Chris Lindstrom (foot) and DL Zach Harrison (knee).
The Falcons hope some key players will recover soon as they prepare for their upcoming matchup with New Orleans.
