Atlanta Falcons: Injuries Force Roster Adjustments

The Atlanta Falcons received their second stunning injury diagnosis of the young season. Team doctors have determined that star middle linebacker Deion Jones, has a foot injury that needs surgery. Can the Dirty Birds survive this setback?

When the news came down that Deion Jones sustained a foot injury that requires surgery, Falcons fans online were stunned. Especially being that the news came shortly after the devastation of losing Pro Bowl strong safety Keanu Neal for the rest of the season. We detailed the situation in this article.

Some went into panic mode, after the news of Deion Jones‘ injury, declaring the season over. The question is, how can the Atlanta Falcons replace Jones, without a major drop off  on defense?

Deion also known as Debo, is a Pro Bowl player, who is widely regarded as one of the best two defenders on the team, along with defensive tackle Grady Jarrett. Replacing him certainly won’t be easy. Jones is unequivocally one of the best sideline to sideline pursuit defenders in the NFL.

Deion is also an outstanding cover linebacker, who erases mistakes of teammates with his speed and play recognition. To and insult to injury, the Atlanta Falcons also lose their defensive signal caller, by not having Debo.

Deion Jones was placed on the injured reserve list, with the eligibility to return after missing at least eight games. This means the earliest Jones can return, would be November 18 at home against the Dallas Cowboys.

Should Jones play against Dallas, he would then have to turn around and be ready to play four days later, against the sAints on Thanksgiving Day. Allowing Jones to heal until Thanksgiving, would probably be the best decision the Atlanta Falcons could make.

The Atlanta Falcons signed former Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Corey Nelson to take Deion Jones‘ spot on the roster. Nelson is a 6’1 225 pound player, who is capable of playing both inside and outside linebacker.

Nelson is entering his fifth season. He attended and played football at Oklahoma University. He’s only started six games in his career, having 95 career tackles, one sack, one fumble recovery, zero forced fumbles and zero interceptions. He has broken up six passes, five of which came in the 2016 campaign.

Corey Nelson replaced Deion Jones on the roster, however he isn’t going to replace Deion Jones in the Atlanta Falcons starting lineup. That task goes to second year linebacker Duke Riley. Riley a 6’1, 230 linebacker out of LSU, moves over from weak side linebacker to the middle.

Duke Riley typically only plays in the base 4-3 defensive sets. He will now play in the nickel defense as well. The Dirty Birds use more nickel defense than any other formation, in order to matchup with teams using mostly three and four wide receiver sets.

Deion Jones was graded by Pro Football Focus as the fourth best, non edge rushing linebacker in the NFL last season, with a phenomenal grade of 87.3. His amazing coverage grade of 91.1 was number one in the NFL for his position!

Duke Riley was graded by PFF as the 132nd ranked linebacker in the NFL, in his inaugural season. He had an overall grade of 55.7, and an alarming 31.9 for tacking. His coverage grade was just 52.5.

There is no a question on rather Duke Riley has the physical skills to play the position. What is in question is his instincts and awareness. He is often slow to diagnose plays leaving him a step late against coverage. He’s also known to over-pursue against the run.

Duke Riley must grown up quickly, if he is to keep the Atlanta Falcons’ defense at a respectable level. He must study more film than ever before and trust that film study. He must quickly diagnose plays at get to the football. Better tackling is also mandatory for Riley.

Head Coach Dan Quinn gave an interview on the  John and Hugh show on 92.9 the Game that can be found here. Quinn stated his confidence in both new starters Duke Riley and safety Demontae Kazee in this quote:

"“That’s what you do; you answer the challenge. At some point we’ll get Deion back — it won’t be for a little while. We certainly have guys that are capable to play really well in this system. We’re defintiely bummed for [Neal and Jones], but the other two are definitely ready for the opportunity.”"

Kemal Ishmael is expected to see more time in the base defense. Coach Quinn also mentioned that rookie linebacker Foyesade Oluokun will see time in the base defense, during his interview with 92.9 the Game.

Coach Quinn also confidently stated that the Atlanta Falcons will be “more than okay” with Deion Jones and Keanu Neal.

"“We are going to be more than okay. It’s a good feeling to know that every man here is (here) for a reason. If their opportunity comes they’re prepared for it, ready for it, and when those moments come and you answer the bell, it’s a pretty cool feeling and the respect that is earned when you do that.”"

The Atlanta Falcons also made several other roster transactions in recent days. The team waived cornerback Deante Burton and long snapper Jeff Overbaugh, from the active roster. They also waived DT Jacob Tuioti-Mariner from the practice squad.

Linebacker Richard Jarvis was cut from the active roster and signed to the practice squad. Wide receivers Christian Blake and Julian Williams were also signed to practice squad. Safety Keith Tandy was also signed to the active roster as was detailed in this article.

Defensive end Steven Means was also signed to the active roster, giving the birds a fifth defensive end. This was a position the Falcons were previously thin at.

Means is a 6’3 260 pound veteran edge rusher. He was drafted in the fifth round of the 2013 draft, out of the University of Buffalo, by division rival Tampa Bay. He’s also played for Baltimore and Philadelphia, but has yet to start a game in his NFL career.

Means has just two career sacks, but was said to be the last player cut by Philly, so he obviously has potential.

The roster move that really raised eyebrows for Atlanta Falcons’ fans, was the signing of running back Brian Hill from the practice squad to the active roster.  Hill was drafted in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL draft by the Dirty Birds. He was released last offseason, but resigned this year after being cut by the Cincinnati Bengals.

The reason Brian Hill‘s signing has the fans alarmed is, it comes on the heals of starting running back Devonta Freeman missing practice due to a sore knee.

The signing has many people wondering if Hill’s promotion, means Devonta Freeman is more injured than reports state. Thankfully the Atlanta Falcons do have one of the NFL’s best backup running backs in Tevin Coleman.

However an extended absence by Freeman, would leave Atlanta dangerously inexperienced after Tevin. So let’s all hope for a speedy recovery for Devonta Freeman. The Atlanta Falcons can’t afford to lose another key starter so early in the season.

Continue to check Atl All Day for the latest on the Falcons’ Injury news and roster moves. Also please download the FanSided app and favorite All Atlanta Sports. We appreciate all of our readers.

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