The Atlanta Falcons are heading into Week 8 with a refreshed depth chart, and the changes are easy to spot. Michael Jerrell has been removed after landing on injured reserve, while A.J. Terrell is back where the Falcons want him: at the top of the cornerback group after his activation from IR last week.
There’s also a notable wrinkle in the secondary. Avieon Terrell still holds the starting nickel spot over Billy Bowman Jr., keeping the younger Terrell brother in that role for now.
At quarterback, the order remains Michael Penix Jr. first, Tua Tagovailoa second and Andy Dalton third. Rookie Jack Strand is still listed fourth, even though he was the emergency third quarterback ahead of Dalton in Week 7.
Atlanta’s updated chart comes with both NFC South teams riding momentum into Sunday’s matchup. The Falcons knocked off the previously undefeated San Francisco 49ers, 29-20, in Week 7, while the Buccaneers pummeled the first-place Carolina Panthers, 43-13. With the NFC South still described as the weakest division in football, both clubs remain in the playoff chase.
The rest of the Falcons’ depth chart shows Bijan Robinson and Brian Robinson Jr. at running back; Drake London, Chris Blair and Jahan Dotson at wide receiver; Olamide Zaccheaus and Zachariah Branch working the slot; and Kyle Pitts and Austin Hooper at tight end, with Charlie Woerner and Nick Muse behind them.
Up front, Jake Matthews, Matthew Bergeron, Ryan Neuzil, Chris Lindstrom and Jawaan Taylor remain in place, with Kyle Hinton, Corey Levin and Ethan Onianwa listed as backups.
On defense, Brandon Dorlus, Samson Ebukam and Jared Ivey are listed at defensive end, with Maason Smith, Gervon Dexter, LaCale London, Da'Shawn Hand, Cameron Thomas, Za'Darius Smith, Charles Snowden and Drake Jackson all appearing across the line and edge spots. Inside linebacker is anchored by Divine Deablo and Kendal Daniels, while Christian Harris, Josh Woods, Harold Perkins Jr. and others sit behind them.
The secondary is led by A.J. Terrell, C.J.
Henderson, Mike Hughes and Mike Ford, with Jessie Bates III and Xavier Watts handling safety duties. Liam McCullough is listed at long snapper, Nick Folk at kicker, Jake Bailey at punter, Brian Robinson Jr. as kick returner and Zachariah Branch as punt returner.
Sunday’s game kicks off at 1 p.m. ET at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.
In Other News...
Michael Penix Is Giving Falcons Hope With One Big Test Ahead
Michael Penix Jr. has given Atlanta a reason to feel better about the quarterback position again, and the timing matters with the stretch run still offering little room for error. Kevin Stefanski praised Penixs diligent recovery from a torn ACL and pointed to the way he has settled in lately, a welcome sign for a Falcons offense that has needed stability behind center and a clearer sense of what it can be with him operating at full speed.
The challenge now is keeping that momentum when the level of resistance rises. Atlanta has seen enough of the division to know how quickly pass rushers can change a game, and YaYa Diabys recent surge for Tampa Bay is another reminder of what the Falcons will be up against in the weeks ahead. Penix has done his part to build confidence, but the next test will tell far more about where this offense really stands. [Read more 🡒]
Jessie Bates Is Closing In On Rare Falcons History
Jessie Bates III keeps finding ways to turn games in Atlantas favor, and his latest showing against the 49ers was another reminder of why he has become such a steady force on the back end. In the Falcons win, Bates recorded an interception and later forced the game-ending fumble, adding another standout performance to a season that has already put him among the leagues better safeties.
The production has been there all year, even if the recognition has not always matched it. Bates is grading out among the top safeties in Pro Football Focus this season, and his resume still includes only one Pro Bowl selection despite the kind of impact plays that can swing a game in a hurry. With the way he is stacking up those rare interception-and-fumble outings, the next milestone is now very much within reach. [Read more 🡒]
Falcons Offense Forced The 49ers Into A Deadline Response
Atlantas 29-20 win over the 49ers did more than hand San Francisco its first loss of the season. It also exposed a problem that the Falcons were able to exploit throughout the afternoon, with the offense doing enough to keep the pressure on a defense that never looked fully comfortable chasing the game.
For San Francisco, the response came quickly after the final whistle, a clear sign the loss carried some urgency beyond the standings. The 49ers moved to shore up the front of their defense after a day in which the pass rush never consistently affected Michael Penix Jr., and the ripple effect of Nick Bosas absence loomed over the whole performance. [Read more 🡒]