Atlanta, GA
Ex Atlanta Falcons Fan Favorite WR Signs with San Francisco 49ers
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Former Atlanta Falcons receiver Frank Darby has found a new home.
Darby, a sixth-round pick in 2021 who became a fan favorite due to his energy and infectious smile, has signed a one-year contract to join the San Francisco 49ers, ESPN insider Adam Schefter reported Saturday.
As a rookie, Darby played in 10 games, but was primarily used on special teams. He saw 126 snaps in the game’s third phase compared to just 20 on offense. He caught one pass for 14 on yards on four targets.
The 6-foot-1, 200-pound Darby took the field only five times in 2022 but received a significant uptick in offensive snaps, taking 54 reps. Still, he was targeted only once, making the catch for a 15-yard gain.
In training camp 2023, Darby appeared to take a step forward. Then-receivers coach T.J. Yates said he was coming into his own, and both Yates and teammate Mack Hollins referred to Darby as the “juice man.”
But Darby suffered a soft tissue injury in the Falcons’ preseason opener against the Miami Dolphins and was cut shortly thereafter. Still, his time in Atlanta wasn’t done – two months later, he returned to the team’s practice squad.
The former Arizona State University standout appeared in one game — a Week 10 loss to the Arizona Cardinals — and played 12 special teams snaps. He spent the remainder of the year on the practice squad.
Now in San Francisco, Darby rejoins former Sun Devil teammate Brandon Aiyuk in the 49ers’ receiver room. The Falcons, meanwhile, have a new-look receiving core around Drake London, with Darnell Mooney, Rondale Moore and Ray-Ray McCloud III among several fresh faces.
Atlanta, GA
4 injured after Delta Air Lines flight aborted during takeoff in Atlanta
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Atlanta, GA
4 passengers injured as hundreds evacuate Delta flight by emergency slide in Atlanta
Hundreds of passengers were forced to evacuate a Delta airlines flight by emergency slides in snowy conditions Friday after an aborted takeoff in Atlanta — leading to at least four injuries and one hospitalization, authorities said.
Roughly 200 people hurriedly deplaned Minneapolis-bound flight 2668 on the tarmac at Atlanta International Airport at 9:10 a.m. due to an engine problem, airline officials said.
Footage posted on social media shows frazzled travelers, including children, running with their luggage from a Boeing 757-300 plane in several inches of snow, according to atlantanewsfirst.com.
Four passengers reported minor injuries and one was taken to the hospital, while the others were treated at the scene, the airport said.
Details about the engine problems were not immediately clear.
Delta apologized to passengers for the nerve-wracking experience.
“Delta’s flight crew followed established procedures to suspend the takeoff of flight…after an indication of an engine issue,” Delta said in a statement.
“Nothing is more important than the safety of our people and customers, and we apologize to our customers for their experience.”
Atlanta, GA
Houston faces Atlanta on 3-game win streak
Houston Rockets (25-12, second in the Western Conference) vs. Atlanta Hawks (19-19, ninth in the Eastern Conference)
Atlanta; Saturday, 3 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: Houston seeks to continue its three-game win streak with a victory over Atlanta.
The Hawks have gone 10-7 at home. Atlanta ranks third in the Eastern Conference with 17.5 fast break points per game led by Jalen Johnson averaging 3.6.
The Rockets have gone 12-6 away from home. Houston averages 113.1 points and has outscored opponents by 6.0 points per game.
The Hawks’ 13.1 made 3-pointers per game this season are just 0.7 more made shots on average than the 12.4 per game the Rockets give up. The Hawks average 113.1 points per game, 6.7 fewer points than the 119.8 the Hawks give up to opponents.
TOP PERFORMERS: Johnson is averaging 19.8 points, 10.1 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.5 steals for the Hawks.
Alperen Sengun is averaging 19.3 points, 10.5 rebounds and five assists for the Rockets.
LAST 10 GAMES: Hawks: 5-5, averaging 119.2 points, 41.2 rebounds, 30.5 assists, 11.2 steals and 5.3 blocks per game while shooting 47.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 121.5 points per game.
Rockets: 7-3, averaging 113.7 points, 48.0 rebounds, 19.9 assists, 8.9 steals and 4.4 blocks per game while shooting 45.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 108.9 points.
INJURIES: Hawks: Kobe Bufkin: out for season (shoulder), Larry Nance Jr.: out (hand), Jalen Johnson: day to day (shoulder), Cody Zeller: day to day (personal).
Rockets: Tari Eason: day to day (injury management), Jabari Smith Jr.: out (hand).
——
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
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