Atlanta, GA
Atlanta Falcons 53-Man Roster Projection: Who’s Cut, Who Stays?
After 12 intrasquad training camp sessions, three preseason games, two joint practices and one scrimmage, the Atlanta Falcons have all the stats, film and interactions at their disposal before trimming their roster from 90 players to 53 by Tuesday evening.
Atlanta made its first 13 cuts Sunday afternoon, which puts the active roster at 78 players, including the team’s International Player Pathway designation, outside linebacker Kenny Oginni.
But who makes the final 53-man roster? Are there any surprise cuts? Here’s our final guess at Falcons on Sports Illustrated …
Quarterbacks (2): Kirk Cousins, Michael Penix Jr.
The noteworthy part is not about who’s here, but who isn’t — Taylor Heinicke, a four-game starter last year and capable veteran backup. Heinicke is one of the more interesting names to monitor in the coming days and has both trade and cut potential.
Running backs (4): Bijan Robinson, Tyler Allgeier, Avery Williams, Jase McClellan
Robinson and Allgeier will be the lead ballcarriers while Williams will handle kick and punt returns. McClellan, a sixth-round rookie from Alabama, narrowly gets the nod over second-year pro and returning practice squad member Carlos Washington Jr. and late signee Spencer Brown.
Receivers (6): Drake London, Darnell Mooney, Ray-Ray McCloud III, KhaDarel Hodge, Casey Washington, Chris Blair
Blair led the Falcons in receiving this preseason, but he’s firmly at risk if Atlanta only carries five wideouts. London, Mooney and McCloud didn’t play in the preseason, and Hodge only suited up for the opener.
Tight ends (3): Kyle Pitts, Charlie Woerner, Ross Dwelley
The biggest question here is whether John FitzPatrick, a sixth-round pick in 2022, sticks on the practice squad. Atlanta has high hopes for Pitts, while Woerner and Dwelley, a pair of offseason signings from the San Francisco 49ers, will hold niche offensive roles.
Offensive linemen (8): Jake Matthews, Matthew Bergeron, Drew Dalman, Chris Lindstrom, Kaleb McGary, Storm Norton, Kyle Hinton, Ryan Neuzil
When Atlanta split into two fields during training camp — first- and second-string players on one side, third- and fourth-string on another — these were the eight routinely on the field with the starters.
Defensive linemen (8): Grady Jarrett, David Onyemata, Ta’Quon Graham, Ruke Orhorhoro, Brandon Dorlus, Zach Harrison, Eddie Goldman, Kentavius Street
Morris said the Falcons may go heavier up front, and of these eight, only two — rookies Orhorhoro and Dorlus — played in the preseason finale. Eight may ultimately be one body shy.
Outside linebackers (4): Matt Judon, James Smith-Williams, Arnold Ebiketie, Lorenzo Carter
The mid-August trade for Judon leaves a few close candidates on the outside looking in, including 2022 third-round pick DeAngelo Malone and training camp standout Demone Harris.
Inside linebackers (4): Kaden Elliss, Troy Andersen, Nate Landman, J.D. Bertrand
This has been set for months. Bertrand will be a special teams ace, while Elliss, Andersen and Landman will handle a variety of roles in the middle of Atlanta’s defense.
Cornerbacks (6): A.J. Terrell, Mike Hughes, Dee Alford, Clark Phillips III, Antonio Hamilton Sr., Kevin King
Terrell, Hughes, Alford, Phillips and Hamilton did not play in the preseason finale. King is the favorite to be Atlanta’s No. 6 corner, beating Natrone Brooks and Anthony Johnson after snatching the team’s lone interception and tying for a team-high with two passes defended. King has also seen time at safety giving him the versatility edge over Brooks.
Safeties (5)*: Jessie Bates III, Justin Simmons, Richie Grant, Micah Abernathy, DeMarcco Hellams*
The Falcons believe Hellams, who will miss “significant time” with an ankle injury suffered in the preseason opener against the Miami Dolphins, can return later this season. Thus, he needs to be on the initial 53-man roster, though he’ll likely be placed on injured reserve shortly thereafter. If he were to be placed on injured reserve beforehand, his season would be over.
Special teams (3): Kicker Younghoe Koo, Punter Bradley Pinion, Long Snapper Liam McCullough
The Falcons carried the same three specialists last year and have only these three currently on their roster.
Offense: 23
Defense: 27
Special teams: 3
Sunday evening forecast
Expect above-normal temperatures to start the week out. The FOX 5 Storm Team is tracking the arrival of the next cold front. Here’s the latest.
ATLANTA – Winter’s roller-coaster temperatures are climbing back up the hill this week, with another drop expected next week.
Patchy fog could affect the start of the workweek across parts of north and central Georgia, followed by a rapid warmup that may push temperatures close to record levels before a sharp cooldown by the weekend, according to the FOX 5 Storm Team.
How warm will it get this week?
By the numbers:
Monday is expected to look similar to Sunday, with filtered sunshine and mild temperatures. “Tomorrow looks very similar to today’s, mostly sunny, a bit mild,” FOX 5 Storm Team meteorologist Greg Majewski said, with highs generally in the low to mid-60s.
The warming trend strengthens as the week continues. Overnight lows will rise into the 40s and near 50, followed by daytime highs climbing into the upper 60s and low 70s by midweek. “The trend is going to be going upward here for the week,” Majewski said.
Several days in the 70s are possible, bringing temperatures close to record territory. “We’re hitting the 70s here three days in a row,” he said. “This is going to get awfully close to the record high.”
Rain chances remain limited early in the week, though Majewski said a weak boundary could bring “a couple of isolated showers” late Tuesday. More meaningful rain is expected later in the week as a stronger system approaches.
By Friday night into Saturday, showers and thunderstorms could move through the area, followed by a dramatic cooldown. “Here comes the rain coming in on Friday, kind of late,” Majewski said, adding that colder air will move in behind the system.
How cold will it get this weekend?
What’s next:
Temperatures are expected to fall sharply by Sunday. “Boom. 51, 37,” Majewski said. “Much colder Sunday.”
That cold snap could bring another return to winterlike mornings early next week. “That means that Monday morning we’ll probably see the twenties back in here yet again,” he said. “So the roller-coaster ride of our winter continues here across Georgia.”
The Source: This article contains an original forecast by the FOX 5 Storm Team. The National Weather Service contributed to this report.
Well the NBP posted players all seem to be settled now, with Imai and Okamoto having signed with an MLB club and Takahashi returning to the NBP. Those players do not seem to have sparked movement in the overall market, either in free agency or in trades, at least so far, as this offseason continues to be glacial. Hopefully things pick up a bit as we get more separation from the holidays. The Braves still seem to be motivated to make a big addition, but this front office has shown that the right deal has to be there for them to pull the trigger.
ATLANTA – A man was stabbed Saturday in southeast Atlanta, according to police.
What we know:
According to Atlanta police, officers responded to the 400 block of Moreland Avenue SE to reports of a male who had been stabbed. Investigators believe a female and male were involved in a dispute that resulted in the stabbing.
What we don’t know:
Police did not identify the male or female.
No word yet on charges.
The Source: Information provided by the Atlanta Police Department.
Westbound I-80 closed at Nevada Stateline and Truckee due to spin-outs
On This Day, Jan. 5: New Hampshire adopts first state constitution – UPI.com
Hischier | POST-RAW 1.4.26 | New Jersey Devils
New Mexico transfer LS Trey Dubuc commits to Texas
Fiery crash in Polk County leaves two dead; Highway Patrol
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Video: ‘It Didn’t Have to Happen This Way:’ U.Va. Faculty Call for Review of Police Response to Protests
Trump vows US ‘in charge’ of Venezuela as he reveals if he’s spoken to Delcy Rodríguez
Trump’s abduction of Maduro escalates concerns over potential war with Iran
Cuba says 32 Cuban fighters killed in US raids on Venezuela
Dan Bongino officially leaves FBI deputy director role after less than a year, returns to ‘civilian life’
Hundreds march in silence to honour Crans-Montana fire victims
-
World1 week agoHamas builds new terror regime in Gaza, recruiting teens amid problematic election
-
Indianapolis, IN1 week agoIndianapolis Colts playoffs: Updated elimination scenario, AFC standings, playoff picture for Week 17
-
Business1 week agoGoogle is at last letting users swap out embarrassing Gmail addresses without losing their data
-
Southeast1 week agoTwo attorneys vanish during Florida fishing trip as ‘heartbroken’ wife pleads for help finding them
-
Politics1 week agoMost shocking examples of Chinese espionage uncovered by the US this year: ‘Just the tip of the iceberg’
-
News1 week agoRoads could remain slick, icy Saturday morning in Philadelphia area, tracking another storm on the way
-
World1 week agoPodcast: The 2025 EU-US relationship explained simply
-
News1 week agoMarijuana rescheduling would bring some immediate changes, but others will take time