Falcons Rookie Report: Desmond Ridder Rises, Drake London Hurt
The Atlanta Falcons have high hopes from their rookie class this season, and a majority of them will see a considerable amount of playing time in the preseason.
That could lead to a heavy dosage of snaps in the regular season if they play well enough, but the tests for these rookies start before their career even begins.
Here's a look at every rookie from tonight ...
DRAKE LONDON
London looked strong on his first catch, a 24-yard catch to convert on 1st-and-20, but that was the end of the No. 8 overall pick's night. London suffered a knee injury and was held out for the remainder of the game. After the injury, London was seen on the sidelines catching balls, leaving people to believe that the injury isn't too serious.
ARNOLD EBIKETIE
Ebiketie recorded a quarterback hit in his preseason debut. He played 21 defensive snaps throughout the game.
TROY ANDERSEN
Andersen did not play in Friday's preseason opener, likely as a precaution to prevent the second-round linebacker from injuring himself.
DESMOND RIDDER
Ridder played the final three quarters, finishing 10 of 22 for 103 yards and two touchdowns while adding 59 yards on six carries, all off structure.
DEANGELO MALONE
Third-round outside linebacker DeAngelo Malone recorded a tackle for loss in 31 defensive snaps.
TYLER ALLGEIER
Allgeier had three carries for 25 yards, debuting in the second half. The fifth-round pick out of BYU ran hard and proved difficult to tackle.
JUSTIN SHAFFER
Shaffer saw action with the third-team offensive line alongside Ryan Neuzil, Jonotthan Harrison and Tyler Vrabel.
JOHN FITZPATRICK
FitzPatrick played in only four snaps in his NFL debut and seven tight ends played more snaps than he did.
UNDRAFTED FREE AGENTS
Ferris State wide receiver Jared Bernhardt caught the game-winning touchdown pass from Ridder. The 21-yard reception was his only catch of the game.
Colorado linebacker Nate Landman had several sound reps filling inside gaps against the run, and played a team-high 87 percent of the team's defensive snaps.
Free agent nose tackle Timothy Horne collected a fumble that led to Ridder's game-winner, and punter Seth Vernon had three punts for 134 yards (44.7 yards per punt), including two inside the 20.
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Falcons will get the weekend off before returning to practice Monday in Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Atlanta's next preseason game is the following Monday, August 22, against the New York Jets.