Falcons could be without starting DEs

Falcons DE Dante Fowler (ankle) and DE Takk McKinley (groin) are questionable for Sunday's game against the Bears. McKinley missed practice all week and looks like a bad bet to play. Fowler missed the first 2 days before returning for a limited Friday. Neither should be in your IDP lineups, if you can help it. Elsewhere on the Atlanta defense, S Ricardo Allen (elbow) is out and LB Foye Oluokun (hamstring) is questionable. Oluokun missed Wednesday's practice but returned for limited workouts the past 2 days. There's upside to him in deeper IDP leagues, but obvious re-injury risk with the hamstring.

Falcons S Erik Harris left Sunday's loss to Washington with a calf injury. CB Isaiah Oliver left with a knee injury. We'll see whether either can make it back in time for next Sunday's game against the Jets in London. The travel schedule for that game could complicate the return path.

The Falcons have hired Arthur Smith as HC. Smith spent the past 2 seasons as OC in Tennessee, leading the Titans to top 12 finishes in points and yards both years. He leaned heavily on RB Derrick Henry but also helped QB Ryan Tannehill to his 2 best seasons as a pro. Tannehill notably ranked 9th and 1st, respectively, in percentage of passes to come off play-action the past 2 years. Consider the hire good news for QB Matt Ryan and the Falcons passing game.

The Falcons have ruled starting DEs Dante Fowler and Takk McKinley out for Sunday's game against the Broncos. Losing both DEs would be a big deal for most defenses, but McKinley has only played in 4 games so far, and Fowler has offered disappointing production most of the year. So it doesn't change the outlook for a team defense in an upside matchup. Allen Bailey and Steven Means look like the fill-in starters.

After losing to the Panthers on Sunday to drop to 0-5, the Falcons fired HC Dan Quinn and GM Thomas Dimitroff. The team did not immediately announce the interim HC. OC Dirk Koetter and DC Raheem Morris each bring head-coaching experience. Each had a stint as Buccaneers HC. We don't expect the moves to impact the fantasy outlook for QB Matt Ryan and Atlanta's other offensive players. We'll see whether the Falcons start winning any more games and changing game scripts.

Falcons DE Dante Fowler (ankle) is active for today’s game against the Bears. He missed practice all week, though, and looks like a poor IDP option. DE Takk McKinley (groin) and LB Foye Oluokun are inactive.