Buckle up everyone – lots of changes coming your way this week. After getting five players back off the COVID list on Tuesday afternoon and three more just before the Bills game, Atlanta should have a more fortified depth chart this week heading into their rivalry matchup against the Saints. Let's break it down offensively and defensively.
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The biggest offensive changes come with Tajae Sharpe and Hayden Hurst’s activations from the COVID/reserve list back into their starting WR and TE spots. Lee Smith will serve as Hurst's backup, while Christian Blake returns to the secondary behind Sharpe. Additionally, Parker Hesse has stepped up from the practice squad as Kyle Pitts’ backup this week. Lastly, Rick Leonard has been added to the LT reserve behind Jake Matthews.
Moving on to the defense, Brandon Copeland, Marlon Davidson, Tyeler Davison, Jaylinn Hawkins, James Vaughters and Richie Grant have all been activated from the COVID/reserve. Hawkins is back in at starting safety with Shawn Williams to back him up. Likewise, Davison is back in as a starting DL with Ta'Quon Graham and Anthony Rush behind him. Davidson also returns as Grady Jarrett's backup and Copeland as Dante Fowler's backup. Last but not least in the third unit, Vaughters has returned as an OLB.
Check out the full depth chart below:
Check out the best black and white images from the Atlanta Falcons and the Buffalo Bills game during Week 17 of 2021.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan #2 warms up prior to a game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York on Sunday, January 2, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Mykal Walker #3 reacts after a tackle during the first half against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York on Sunday, January 2, 2022. (Photo by Bryan Bennett/Atlanta Falcons)
A detail view of the cleats of Atlanta Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson #84 prior to a game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York on Sunday, January 2, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan #2 prepares to take a snap during the second half against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York on Sunday, January 2, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan #2 and Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen #17 talk after their game at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York on Sunday, January 2, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons place kicker Younghoe Koo #7 kicks a field goal during the first half against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York on Sunday, January 2, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons players are seen on the bench prior to a game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York on Sunday, January 2, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons captains walk to midfield for the coin toss prior to a game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York on Sunday, January 2, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons fullback Keith Smith #40 warms up prior to a game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York on Sunday, January 2, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
The Atlanta Falcons celebrate after forcing a safety during the first quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York on Sunday, January 2, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Daren Bates #53 arrives prior to a game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York on Sunday, January 2, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts #8 runs after catching a pass during the first half against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York on Sunday, January 2, 2022. (Photo by Bryan Bennett/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Tajae Sharpe #4 arrives prior to a game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York on Sunday, January 2, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett #97 lines up during the second half against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York on Sunday, January 2, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
The Atlanta Falcons warm up prior to a game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York on Sunday, January 2, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan #2 warms up prior to a game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York on Sunday, January 2, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Parker Hesse #46 runs after catching a pass against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York on Sunday, January 2, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Scene setters prior to a game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York on Sunday, January 2, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 lines up during the first half against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York on Sunday, January 2, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Steven Means #55 lines up against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York on Sunday, January 2, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 reacts after an interception during the first half against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York on Sunday, January 2, 2022. (Photo by Bryan Bennett/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan #2 is called for taunting during the second half against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York on Sunday, January 2, 2022. (Photo by Bryan Bennett/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts #8 runs after catching a pass during the first half against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York on Sunday, January 2, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan #2 throws a pass against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York on Sunday, January 2, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Russell Gage #14 runs after catching a pass during the first half against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York on Sunday, January 2, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
OFFENSE
| Position | Starter | Backup | Reserve |
|---|---|---|---|
| WR | Tajae Sharpe | Christian Blake | |
| TE | Kyle Pitts | Parker Hesse | |
| LT | Jake Matthews | Rick Leonard | |
| LG | Jalen Mayfield | Josh Andrews | |
| C | Matt Hennessy | Drew Dalman | |
| RG | Chris Lindstrom | Drew Dalman | |
| RT | Kaleb McGary | Colby Gossett | |
| TE | Hayden Hurst | Lee Smith | Keith Smith |
| WR | Russell Gage | Olamide Zaccheaus | Frank Darby |
| RB | Mike Davis | Cordarrelle Patterson | Qadree Ollison |
| QB | Matt Ryan | Josh Rosen -or- Feleipe Franks |
DEFENSE
| Position | Starter | Backup | Reserve |
|---|---|---|---|
| DL | Grady Jarrett | Marlon Davidson | |
| DL | Tyeler Davison | Ta'Quon Graham | Anthony Rush |
| DL | Mike Pennel | John Cominsky | |
| OLB | Dante Fowler | Brandon Copeland | James Vaughters |
| LB | Deion Jones | Mykal Walker | |
| LB | Foyesade Oluokun | Daren Bates | |
| OLB | Steven Means | Adetokunbo Ogundeji | |
| CB | A.J. Terrell | Darren Hall | |
| S | Jaylinn Hawkins | Shawn Williams | |
| S | Duron Harmon | Richie Grant | |
| CB | Fabian Moreau | Avery Williams | Kendall Sheffield |
SPECIAL TEAMS
| Position | Starter | Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| K | Younghoe Koo | |
| P | Thomas Morstead | |
| LS | Josh Harris | |
| H | Thomas Morstead | |
| PR | Avery Williams | Olamide Zaccheaus |
| KOR | Cordarrelle Patterson | Avery Williams |
Falcons Final Whistle | A Postgame Podcast
Break down the hottest topics surrounding the Atlanta Falcons and how they can impact the team's success with Atlanta Falcons Insiders Scott Bair, Tori McElhaney and Kris Rhim. Like and subscribe to join us for the lively debate on Falcons Final Whistle.
Welcome to Falcons Final Whistle – an Atlanta Falcons football postgame podcast during the season that shifts gears in the offseason to answer a pressing question about the team's future each week through free agency, the NFL Draft and the offseason program.
