'Trending!' Falcons Injury Update on Cordarrelle Patterson, Jeff Okudah

Atlanta Falcons coach Arthur Smith provided the latest injury news on running back Cordarrelle Patterson and cornerback Jeff Okudah.

The Atlanta Falcons kicked off the new season with a 24-10 victory over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium ... and did so without a few players projected to have big roles.

Running back Cordarrelle Patterson and corner Jeff Okudah were both out due to injuries, the former battling a thigh problem while the latter is still working his way back from an ankle ailment suffered during training camp.

But from the looks of it, Atlanta may get both back this Sunday against the Green Bay Packers.

Here's the latest update from Falcons coach Arthur Smith ...

"Patterson and Okudah keep trending in the right direction," Smith said. "We’ll see what Wednesday looks like for both of those guys.”

Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Atlanta does most of its installation for that week's gameplan on Wednesday and Thursday, making participation quite indicative of whether a player will be able to suit up.

Okudah has still not returned to practice since going down on Aug. 4, but both Smith and assistant head coach/defense Jerry Gray believe the former No. 3 overall pick is mentally ready to return. As such, it's merely a waiting game on his physical health, and he seems to be getting closer.

If Okudah is unable to go, Tre Flowers will likely draw another start at outside corner. Flowers totaled eight tackles against the Panthers, the fifth time in his six-year career he's reached that mark.

Sunday marked Flowers' first start since Week 18 of the 2021 season, with Smith rewarding the 28-year-old for his impressive summer.

"Tre had a great camp," Smith said. "Had a lot of faith in Tre."

As for Patterson, the 32-year-old was a limited participant last week in all three practices from Wednesday through Friday before being ruled out on Sunday morning.

However, the Falcons cut running back and kick returner Godwin Igwebuike on Monday, removing the player who replaced Patterson on the roster this past weekend. The decision is an indication that Atlanta likes where Patterson stands health-wise.

As for overall team health, Smith said the Falcons walked away pretty clean, with a few unnamed players going through "normal day-after-game soreness and bumps and bruises."

The Falcons - hoping to have Patterson and Okudah in the fold - will host the Packers on Sunday at 1 p.m. inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium.