FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- The Falcons have given some young players an opportunity to some additional work in, at the very least, as the season comes to a close.
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Receiver Jared Bernhardt has been designated to return to practice from injured reserve, head coach Arthur Smith announced in his Wednesday press conference. The undrafted player, who was a preseason standout, will have the final two weeks of the regular season to ramp up his activity and get a head start on his return from injury. He was placed on IR on Oct. 22.
Smith also said that Justin Shaffer will return to action from practice squad injured reserve, allowing him to work with the practice squad after joining unit's IR on Nov. 21. He would have to be elevated or promoted to the active roster to play in a game. Again, though, that's uncertain.
Some other guys practicing on IR have a better chance. Interior lineman Matt Hennessy and possibly tight end John FitzPatrick have been practicing for a while, and could take a roster spot that becomes available if offensive lineman Chuma Edoga formally goes on IR, as Smith said he likely would.
That's something to monitor as the practice week continues.
We take a monochrome look at the game against the Baltimore Ravens on December 24, 2022.
Atlanta Falcons inside linebacker Mykal Walker #3 is seen prior to the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland on Saturday, December 24, 2022. (Photo by David Dermer/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons inside linebacker Troy Andersen #44 and cornerback Darren Hall #34 prior to the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland on Saturday, December 24, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons inside linebacker Mykal Walker #3 arrives prior to the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland on Saturday, December 24, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 catches a pass during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland on Saturday, December 24, 2022. (Photo by Mitchell Martin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Parker Hesse #46 boards the plane at Atlanta Airport in Atlanta, GA on December 23, 2022 on the way to play against the Baltimore Ravens. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Darren Hall #34 boards the plane at Atlanta Airport in Atlanta, GA on December 23, 2022 on the way to play against the Baltimore Ravens. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson #84 boards the plane at Atlanta Airport in Atlanta, GA on December 23, 2022 on the way to play against the Baltimore Ravens. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson #84 talks with receivers prior to the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland on Saturday, December 24, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Tori McElhaney boards the plane at Atlanta Airport in Atlanta, GA on December 23, 2022 on the way to play against the Baltimore Ravens. (Photo by Mitch Martin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Isaiah Oliver #26 warms up prior to the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland on Saturday, December 24, 2022. (Photo by David Dermer/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder #4 warms up prior to the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland on Saturday, December 24, 2022. (Photo by David Dermer/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder #4 walks out prior to the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland on Saturday, December 24, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 catches a pass during the second quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland on Saturday, December 24, 2022. (Photo by David Dermer/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford #37 boards the plane at Atlanta Airport in Atlanta, GA on December 23, 2022 on the way to play against the Baltimore Ravens. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 catches a pass during the second quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland on Saturday, December 24, 2022. (Photo by David Dermer/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter #9 boards the plane at Atlanta Airport in Atlanta, GA on December 23, 2022 on the way to play against the Baltimore Ravens. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter #9 lines up during the first quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland on Saturday, December 24, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Avery Williams #35 returns a kick during the first quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland on Saturday, December 24, 2022. (Photo by David Dermer/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Avery Williams #35 rushes during the first quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland on Saturday, December 24, 2022. (Photo by Mitchell Martin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder #4 prepares to take a snap during the first quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland on Saturday, December 24, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder #4 rushes during the first quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland on Saturday, December 24, 2022. (Photo by Mitchell Martin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker David Anenih #59 boards the plane at Atlanta Airport in Atlanta, GA on December 23, 2022 on the way to play against the Baltimore Ravens. (Photo by Mitch Martin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 warms up prior to the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland on Saturday, December 24, 2022. (Photo by Mitchell Martin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo #7 warms up on the sideline during the second quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland on Saturday, December 24, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder #4 boards the plane at Atlanta Airport in Atlanta, GA on December 23, 2022 on the way to play against the Baltimore Ravens. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Richie Grant #27 defends a pass during the first quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland on Saturday, December 24, 2022. (Photo by Mitchell Martin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder #4 arrives prior to the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland on Saturday, December 24, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Avery Williams #35 is seen prior to the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland on Saturday, December 24, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons players run out prior to the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland on Saturday, December 24, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
General view of fans during the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland on Saturday, December 24, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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