Atlanta’s defense is down a few players entering Week 9.
The Atlanta Falcons offense listed several key starters on this week’s injury report, but it appears most of the top names will play in Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots. Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. will get the start for the Falcons after being held out in Week 8.
Penix will have a full arsenal of weapons, including Drake London, Kyle Pitts and Darnell Mooney. All four players were listed on the injury report but did not receive game designations. That means it’s back to the bench for Kirk Cousins.
Defensively, the Falcons will be shorthanded yet again in Week 9. Rookie cornerback Billy Bowman Jr. and defensive lineman Zach Harrison were ruled out. Safety Jessie Bates III along with edge rushers Leonard Floyd and Jalon Walker are officially questionable for Sunday’s game.
Bates and Walker were limited participants for all three days of practice this week, while Floyd missed one day with a hamstring injury. Assuming Floyd sits out, rookie James Pearce Jr. will likely start against the Patriots. Bates would be replaced by DeMarrco Hellams in the lineup if he can’t play on Sunday.
Check out the Falcons’ starting lineups below, featuring Pro Football Focus season grades for each player.
Falcons starting lineup vs. Patriots: OffenseQB Michael Penix Jr.: 58.4RB Bijan Robinson: 78.0WR Drake London: 82.0WR Darnell Mooney: 52.9WR David Sills V: 52.6TE Kyle Pitts: 72.0LT Jake Matthews: 73.4LG Matthew Bergeron: 71.2C Ryan Neuzil: 72.8RG Chris Lindstrom: 73.5RT Elijah Wilkinson: 57.6Falcons starting lineup vs. Patriots: defenseEDGE James Pearce Jr.: 59.4DL Brandon Dorlus: 58.1DL David Onyemata: 75.6EDGE Arnold Ebiketie: 67.4LB JD Bertrand: 38.2LB Kaden Elliss: 71.0CB A.J. Terrell: 56.3CB Mike Hughes: 51.9NB Dee Alford: 61.6S Jessie Bates III: 62.2S Xavier Watts: 65.5Falcons starting lineup vs. Patriots: Special TeamsK Parker Romo: 60.1P Bradley Pinion: 62.9LS Liam McCullough: 56.0
Sunday’s game between the Falcons and the Patriots starts at 1 p.m. ET at Gillette Stadium. While Atlanta is just 1-2 on the road this season, both of New England’s losses were at home.