Fantasy Football News

Falcons Edge James Pearce Jr. got arrested Saturday in Florida on serious charges related to a reported domestic dispute with WNBA player Rickea Jackson, according to multiple reports.

Falcons S Jessie Bates (knee) is active for today's game against the Patriots. He spent the week limited in practice but should be OK to use as planned in IDP lineups. The injury obviously adds some risk if you have a close decision at DB.

The Falcons placed LB Divine Deablo on IR ahead of Sunday's loss to the Dolphins. That means his forearm fracture will cost at least three more games. Week 12 at New Orleans will be the first time Deablo's eligible to return.

The Falcons spent the 15th pick of the NFL Draft on Georgia Edge Jalon Walker. He was much higher-rated in nearly all draft rankings. Our guy Shane Hallam had Walker as the fourth player overall on his big board. Walker spent just one season starting for the Bulldogs, and saw limited pass-rushing opportunities even then compared with other edge players. That's because Georgia also dropped him into coverage plenty.

The Falcons have agreed to a two-year, $14 million deal with LB Divine Deablo, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The deal includes $8 million in the first for the former Raider, who started all 37 of his appearances over the past three seasons.

Falcons LB Troy Andersen is inactive for today's game against the Cowboys. He made it back to a full practice Friday and expressed optimism that he'd play. Instead, he'll miss his fifth straight game with the knee injury. Andersen's continued absence has moved Nate Landman up the Week 9 LB rankings.

Falcons LB Troy Andersen is questionable for Sunday's game against the Cowboys. He missed the past four games with a knee injury. Andersen graduated to a full practice Friday and said the day before that he was optimistic about playing this weekend. Of course, we don't know how much playing time an active Andersen would get. He has shared the field with LB Nate Landman just once this season, and each guy played half the game in Week 1. Andersen's best left out of Week 9 IDP lineups unless we get clarity on his playing time before Sunday's game. Landman's also not a safe fantasy play. He played 75% of snaps last week, with Andersen out.

Falcons S Justin Simmons is active for today’s game against the Seahawks. A hamstring injury that rendered him questionable after just two limited practices this week adds risk. But there’s also upside to the matchup. Seattle has supplied more fantasy points to opponent DBs than any other offense.

Falcons LB Nate Landman is active for today's game against the Panthers. He hasn't played since Week 1, landing on IR with quad and calf injuries. He could be in for full playing time today, though, in a defense missing LB Troy Andersen (knee).

The Falcons on Monday designated LB Nate Landman to return from IR. He missed the past four games with a calf injury. Before going down, he split time with LB Troy Andersen in the opener. We'll see how playing time shakes out between them once both are back healthy. Andersen missed Week 5 with a knee injury. Landman's designation opens a three-week window for the team to decide when to fully activate him.

The Falcons have ruled LB Troy Andersen (knee) out for Thursday night's game against the Buccaneers. The quick turnaround obviously made it tough for Andersen to rebound after sustaining the injury Sunday against the Saints. Rookie JD Bertrand will start in Andersen's place. He's nowhere near the fantasy prospect Andersen is. We'll see about Andersen's status for Week 6, as well as when LB Nate Landman will be ready to return from IR.

The Falcons have ruled LB Nate Landman out for Monday night's game against the Eagles with quad and calf injuries. The quad has been an issue since late in the preseason and limited his practice time last week. But Landman started the Week 1 loss to Pittsburgh. Landman missed all three practice days this week, so we'll have to see how he looks for Week 3 and beyond.

The Falcons on Thursday agreed to a one-year, $8 million deal with former Broncos S Justin Simmons. That should install Simmons as the starter next to Jessie Bates III.

The Falcons are hiring Raheem Morris to succeed Arthur Smith as HC, according to multiple reports. This will actually be Morris' second stint as Atlanta head man. He took over the interim role in 2020 after the Falcons fired Dan Quinn. Morris' Falcons went just 4-7 the rest of that season. Morris opened that year as Falcons DC after spending the previous five as assistant HC under Quinn. He also served as HC of the Buccaneers 2009-11 and DC for the Rams the past three seasons, among other coaching stops. Although Morris has spent most of his coaching seasons on defense, he did spend four of those previous Atlanta years as WRs coach -- and three of those as passing-game coordinator as well. Those 2016-19 Falcons leaned pass, especially over the final two years of that span. Ultimately, Morris' offensive staff seems likely to influence the fantasy outlooks of Falcons offensive players more than Morris will. And the biggest fantasy question in Atlanta remains: Who will be the 2024 QB? Arthur Smith's departure should be good for the work shares of players such as Kyle Pitts and Bijan Robinson. We'll see about the moves yet to come, though.

The Falcons have ruled LB Nate Landman (knee) out for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers. Andre Smith looks like the next guy up, but we wouldn't go looking for a down-the-roster Atlanta LB in any format at this point in the fantasy season. Atlanta also ruled out DT David Onyemata (ankle). Onyemata and Landman hold the two best Pro Football Focus run-defense grades among Falcons front-seven players this season. So their absences can only help the matchup for Bucs RB Rachaad White. CB A.J. Terrell (concussion) and CB Jeff Okudah (ankle) are questionable for the game.

Falcons DT Grady Jarrett suffered an ACL tear in Sunday's loss to the Titans, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. He'll obviously miss the rest of the season and then try to return at age 31. The Jarrett injury, at least, shouldn't have much IDP impact. He had just 1.5 sacks and 9 solo tackles through eight games.

Falcons LB Troy Andersen tore a pectoral muscle in Sunday's loss to the Lions. He'll require surgery that will need four to six months of recovery time, according to D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Nate Landman is expected to start in Andersen's place. It's an upside spot for tackles, but Landman doesn't bring anywhere near Andersen's speed or athleticism.

Falcons LB Troy Andersen injured his right shoulder in Sunday's loss to the Lions, and the team fears he could miss the rest of the season. That's what HC Arthur Smith indicated to reporters Monday. We'll watch for confirmation. Nate Landman is expected to take over Andersen's spot but doesn't bring nearly as much athleticism. We'll see whether Landman is in for full playing time.

Falcons LB Troy Andersen left late in Sunday's loss to the Lions after hurting his right arm or shoulder. Andersen rode the cart to the locker room and had his arm in a sling afterward. We'll watch for a specific diagnosis early in the week.

The Falcons have ruled LB Troy Andersen out for Sunday's game against the Packers. That's no surprise, given Andersen entered the concussion protocol Tuesday. We'll see about his status for Week 3. Josh Kendall of The Athletic reports that Nate Landman is expected to start in Andersen's place. There's upside to the role, but Landman is also a second-year, undrafted free agent who has played just 23 total snaps in the NFL. It's tough to know what we can expect from him Sunday.