FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- The Falcons depth chart was going to change. With Kyle Pitts and Ta'Quon Graham heading to injured reserve there were no ifs, ands or buts about the change. It was coming. Now, it's here.
Long story short? The Falcons will have to continue to rely on the depth they feel they've accrued at two crucial positions as the season moves forward.
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With Pitts out for the foreseeable future, the Falcons will look to Parker Hesse and MyCole Pruitt to take over the tight end workload. Arthur Smith said on Monday afternoon that he thought Hesse and Pruitt played well in Pitts' absence against the Bears. He added the Falcons will continue to monitor Anthony Firkser and Feleipe Franks this week to hopefully get them back to active status. Both Firkser and Franks were inactive on Sunday against Chicago. Franks has a calf injury.
As for the Falcons defensive line, losing Graham is a significant blow. But like Pruitt and Hesse, Atlanta's defensive line depth stepped up when facing the Bears and Justin Fields.
The roles of Abdullah Anderson, Jalen Dalton and Timothy Horne expanded in Graham's absence. Playing alongside Grady Jarrett, the Falcons defensive line ended up holding the Bears rushing attack to 160 yards on the ground. That was the first time in five weeks the Bears offense had accumulated less than 200 rushing yards in a game.
This depth will continue to be relied upon as starters' injuries keep them sidelined.
OFFENSE
| Position | Starter | Backup | Reserve | Reserve | Reserve | Reserve |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WR | Drake London | Damiere Byrd | Bryan Edwards | |||
| TE | Parker Hesse | MyCole Pruitt | Anthony Firkser | Feleipe Franks | ||
| LT | Jake Matthews | |||||
| LG | Chuma Edoga | Colby Gossett | ||||
| C | Drew Dalman | Ryan Neuzil | ||||
| RG | Chris Lindstrom | |||||
| RT | Kaleb McGary | Germain Ifedi | ||||
| WR | Olamide Zaccheaus | KhaDarel Hodge | ||||
| RB | Cordarrelle Patterson | Tyler Allgeier | Avery Williams | Caleb Huntley | ||
| FB | Keith Smith | |||||
| QB | Marcus Mariota | Desmond Ridder |
We take a monochrome look at the win over the Chicago Bears on November 20, 2022.
View of the locker of Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo #7 against the Chicago Bears at Mercedes-Benz Stadium Stadium in Atlanta, GA on Sunday, November 20, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Grady Jarrett #97 arrives before the game against the Chicago Bears at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 20, 2022. (Photo by Mitchell Martin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 arrives before the game against the Chicago Bears at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 20, 2022. (Photo by Mitchell Martin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Darren Hall #34 warms up before the game against the Chicago Bears at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 20, 2022. (Photo by Casey Sykes/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson #84 warms up prior to the game against the Chicago Bears at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 20, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons players prepare to take the field prior to the game against the Chicago Bears at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 20, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter #9 takes the field prior to the game against the Chicago Bears at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 20, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
The cast of "Fantasy Football" pulls the Train Horn before the game against the Chicago Bears at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 20, 2022. (Photo by Karl Moore/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 catches a touchdown pass during the first quarter against the Chicago Bears at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 20, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota #1 prepares to take a snap during the first quarter against the Chicago Bears at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 20, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Grady Jarrett #97 and cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 react after a play during the first half against the Chicago Bears at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 20, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
TI performs during the game against the Chicago Bears at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 20, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Grady Jarrett #97 reacts after a sack during the game against the Chicago Bears at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 20, 2022. (Photo by Mitchell Martin/Atlanta Falcons)
General view from the roof during the game against the Chicago Bears at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 20, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson #84 scores a touchdown during the kick return to break the NFL record during the game against the Chicago Bears at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 20, 2022. (Photo by Mitchell Martin/Atlanta Falcons)
The Atlanta Falcons celebrate after Atlanta Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson #84 scores a touchdown on a kick return to break the NFL record during the game against the Chicago Bears at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 20, 2022. (Photo by Mitchell Martin/Atlanta Falcons)
Fans react after a touchdown during the game against the Chicago Bears at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 20, 2022. (Photo by Casey Sykes/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons long snapper Liam McCullough #48 blocks on a field goal attempt during the first half against the Chicago Bears at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 20, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter #9 makes a tackle during the game against the Chicago Bears at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 20, 2022. (Photo by Casey Sykes/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tight end MyCole Pruitt #85 runs after a catch during the second half against the Chicago Bears at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 20, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus #17 runs during the second half against the Chicago Bears at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 20, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota #1 reacts after a play during the second half against the Chicago Bears at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 20, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons inside linebacker Rashaan Evans #54 lines up during the second half against the Chicago Bears at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 20, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tackle Kaleb McGary #76 is seen during the second half against the Chicago Bears at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 20, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
An overall view of the stadium after the win against the Chicago Bears at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 20, 2022. (Photo by Karl Moore/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Richie Grant #27 celebrates in the locker room after the victory against the Chicago Bears at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 20, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson #84 is seen in the locker room after the victory against the Chicago Bears at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 20, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons players prepare to take the field prior to the game against the Chicago Bears at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 20, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Uvalde shooting survivor Daniel Ruiz is seen on the field prior to the game against the Chicago Bears at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 20, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Jaylinn Hawkins #32 reacts after an interception during the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bears at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 20, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter #9 is seen prior to the game against the Chicago Bears at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 20, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
DEFENSE
| Position | Starter | Backup | Reserve | Reserve | Reserve |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DL | Grady Jarrett | Timothy Horne | |||
| DL | Abdullah Anderson | Jalen Dalton | |||
| DL | Matt Dickerson | Jaleel Johnson | |||
| OLB | Adetokunbo Ogundeji | Arnold Ebiketie | |||
| ILB | Mykal Walker | Troy Andersen | Nathan Landman | ||
| ILB | Rashaan Evans | Nick Kwiatkoski | |||
| OLB | Lorenzo Carter | DeAngelo Malone | |||
| CB | A.J. Terrell | Isaiah Oliver | Mike Ford | Rashad Fenton | |
| S | Richie Grant | Erik Harris | |||
| S | Jaylinn Hawkins | Jovante Moffatt | |||
| CB | Darren Hall | Dee Alford | Cornell Armstrong |
SPECIAL TEAMS
| Position | Starter | Backup |
|---|---|---|
| K | Younghoe Koo | |
| P | Bradley Pinion | |
| LS | Liam McCullough | |
| H | Bradley Pinion | |
| PR | Avery Williams | |
| KOR | Cordarrelle Patterson -OR- Avery Williams |
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