Falcons' Ade Ogundeji to IR; What's Next?

Ade Ogundeji is a recent Atlanta Falcons draft pick, but his move to injured reserve could spell the end of his tenure with the team.

The Atlanta Falcons are making a roster change that could have long-term consequences for one player.

According to NFL insider Aaron Wilson, the team is placing outside linebacker Ade Ogundeji on injured reserve.

Ogundeji, 24, suffered a lower leg injury and was carted off the field in Monday's practice.

Ogundeji has featured for the Falcons defensively since being drafted in 2021, but his prior production doesn't stand out. In his rookie year, Ogundeji recorded just 33 tackles, five for a loss, one sack and two quarterback hits while starting 11 of 16 games. In 2022, he started all 16 games he played in and recorded 42 tackles and two sacks.

He did start 16 games for the Falcons last season, but Atlanta's attention to the pass rush unit in free agency could spell bad fortunes for Ogundeji's future with the team.

"Ade Ogundeji, a fifth-round pick in 2021, has started 27 games over the last two seasons," Bleacher Report writes. "However, the Falcons have retooled the position with Calais Campbell, Bud Dupree and Zach Harrison joining Lorenzo Carter, Arnold Ebiketie and DeAngelo Malone. Ogundeji may slide off the roster altogether."

Ogundeji is expected to miss the team's next preseason game Friday against the Cincinnati Bengals. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. His timetable to return to the team is not yet determined.

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