Atlanta Falcons defensive back Billy Bowman Jr. was added to the team’s injury report on Friday with an Achilles injury and has been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints. Head coach Raheem Morris stated that the injury occurred during the team’s walkthrough on Friday morning and described it as “not good” at the time. Morris said he did not have further information about Bowman’s condition as medical evaluations are ongoing.
Dee Alford, who cleared concussion protocol, is expected to start at nickel cornerback. Mike Hughes will also return to the starting lineup after missing two games due to a neck injury.
Bowman joins wide receiver Drake London and defensive lineman Zach Harrison among those officially ruled out for Sunday’s matchup. Both London and Harrison are sidelined with knee injuries. According to Morris, London is considered “week-to-week” with a PCL sprain, while Harrison “will have to get it fixed,” referring to his knee issue.
Offensive guards Chris Lindstrom and Matthew Bergeron are listed as questionable for Sunday’s game. Bergeron has missed the last two games, while Lindstrom has continued playing despite being on the injury report for several weeks with a foot problem.
The team reported some positive news regarding inside linebacker Divine Deablo, who is now listed as questionable but has participated fully in recent practices. His status was updated due to league rules requiring players in the 21-day injured reserve return window to be designated as questionable until they are activated to the main roster. Morris suggested that Deablo’s activation could happen soon.
The Falcons’ full Friday injury report lists several players with varying participation levels in practice:
Full participation: Divine Deablo (forearm), Dee Alford (concussion), Mike Hughes (neck), Xavier Watts (illness), Malik Verdon (shoulder), Brandon Dorlus (oblique), Matthew Bergeron (ankle).
Limited participation: Kaden Elliss (resting), Chris Lindstrom (foot), Jake Matthews (resting).
Did not participate: Jessie Bates (personal matter), Drake London (knee), Billy Bowman Jr. (Achilles), Josh Woods (hamstring), Liam McCullough (personal matter), Leonard Floyd (hamstring), David Onyemata (resting), Zach Harrison (knee).
The game status report lists Leonard Floyd, Chris Lindstrom, Matthew Bergeron, Malik Verdon, and Divine Deablo as questionable; Drake London, Billy Bowman Jr., Josh Woods, and Zach Harrison are ruled out.
