Raheem Morris sounded optimistic about Jalon Walker and Brandon Dorlus playing on Thursday night.
The Atlanta Falcons went into Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks without starting defensive lineman Brandon Dorlus and exited without rookie edge rusher Jalon Walker. Dorlus, who’s tied for the team lead in sacks with rookie James Pearce Jr., is dealing with a groin injury.
As for Walker, the former Georgia Bulldog suffered a quadriceps injury against the Seattle Seahawks. Falcons head coach Raheem Morris was asked about the rookie’s status on Monday and didn’t sound overly concerned.
“It was a bruise,” Morris said of Walker’s injury. “Looking forward to him playing this week.”
Walker has recorded five sacks this season, helping restore the team’s long-struggling pass rush alongside Pearce. The rookie duo has racked up 11 combined sacks with four games left to play. Dorlus has also played a role in the defensive turnaround.
When asked about Dorlus and wide receiver Drake London’s chances of playing in Week 15, Morris indicated both players were day-to-day.
“Drake is still day-to-day,” said Morris. “I would say Dorlus is day-to-day as well. Feeling good about Dorlus.”
The Falcons are coming off a 28-point loss to the Seahawks, but they have no time to dwell on it with a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers coming up on Thursday night.
The Bucs are vulnerable, having just lost to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday afternoon. Thursday night’s game kicks off at 8:15 p.m. ET at Raymond James Stadium.