Falcons LB Troy Andersen OUT, CB Jeff Okudah Questionable vs. Packers
The Atlanta Falcons' final injury report is in ahead of Sunday's Week 2 contest against the Green Bay Packers.
According to Falcons coach Arthur Smith, starting linebacker Troy Andersen won't play Sunday as he works his way back from the NFL's concussion protocol.
“Troy is doing really well, but he’s not going to play,” Smith said, noting how extensive the league's policies are.
Andersen reported feeling off to Atlanta's coaching staff on Tuesday, two days after his 10-tackle performance in the season-opening 24-10 win over the Carolina Panthers. He returned to the practice field Friday after missing Wednesday and Thursday, but the Falcons opted to rule him out.
Smith's announcement on projected starting cornerback Jeff Okudah was more positive, as he's officially been designated as questionable. Okudah, who suffered a foot injury in practice on Aug. 4, returned to practice for the first time Wednesday and has been limited throughout the week.
Running back Cordarrelle Patterson, who missed last week's game due to a thigh injury, has been a full participant in practice and wasn't mentioned by Smith in the final injury report; he's expected to play against Green Bay.
The Falcons have adopted the "next man up" approach, with Nate Landman and Tae Davis the two expected to see more action in Andersen's absence. Smith said he has a lot of faith in both players to fill the 6-4, 242-pounder's shoes.
Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Falcons defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen echoed similar sentiments, stressing that with the length of the season, they treat each player and each rep with considerable significance in order to build better depth.
“One of the things that coach (Smith) talks about all the time is ‘everybody is a starter,’" Nielsen said. "In camp and throughout practice, all of these guys have a ton of reps. Our mentality as coaches is, ‘hey, coach them all the same, get them all ready to play and if something happens, next man up mentality and here we go’. So, that’ll be the same thing.”
If Okudah is unable to play, Tre Flowers will likely receive the start for the second consecutive game. Flowers logged eight tackles in his Atlanta debut last week.
Earlier this week, Okudah shared that the approach from both him and the training staff was to take it day by day without pressing for Week 1; the Falcons are trying to play the long game and ensure that nothing further comes from his injury.
But regardless of whether or not Okudah suits up, Nielsen and the rest of Atlanta's defense will be ready.
"If Jeff plays, great. If he doesn’t, next man up, here we go," Nielsen said. "It would be great to have him out there but if he doesn’t, then we won’t bat an eye.”
The Falcons and Packers will kick off at 1 p.m. EST Sunday inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
