Drew Dalman has been sidelined on injured reserve for more than a month, and the Atlanta Falcons are feeling the impact.
Kaleb McGary has also missed some time, while the guard pair of Chris Lindstrom and Matthew Bergeron have been dealing with their own injuries.
This situation has put pressure on the offensive line, as the team navigates through a challenging period with multiple key players unavailable.
On the defensive side, Lorenzo Carter remains on injured reserve, and rookie second-round draft pick Ruke Orhorhoro has now joined him, as announced by the team on Friday. Orhorhoro suffered an ankle injury during the Falcons’ recent victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
His playing time this season has been limited, as he was a healthy scratch for the first month, making this injury particularly disappointing for a player the Falcons were excited about after trading up to select him.
If Orhorhoro ends up missing significant time, it could mean that Atlanta’s top three draft picks—Michael Penix Jr., Ruke Orhorhoro, and Bralen Trice—effectively redshirt their rookie seasons.
This situation is compounded by the fact that their fourth-round pick, Brandon Dorlus, has yet to see action in the regular season, further highlighting the team’s struggles with rookie contributions.
In response to these challenges, the Falcons have signed linebacker Rashaan Evans to their 53-man roster, aiming to bolster their defensive depth. With JD Bertrand already ruled out and Troy Andersen listed as questionable after missing four games, adding Evans should provide much-needed support.
Previously, Evans had a standout season with Atlanta in 2022, starting all games and leading the team with a career-high 159 tackles, along with notable contributions in tackles for loss, pass breakups, sacks, and fumble recoveries.
