The Atlanta Falcons will have their top two wideouts Monday night against the Green Bay Packers.
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported that Julio Jones (hamstring) and Calvin Ridley (ankle) will play tonight, per a source informed of the situation. The team confirmed prior to kickoff that both receivers are active for the game.
Jones would give it a go in the first half but ended up being ruled out for the second after re-aggravating the hamstring injury that initially jeopardized his status.
The 31-year-old receiver missed Week 3's tilt due to the same injury but got limited work in practice this week. Ridley missed the Thursday practice session but was limited Friday.
Ridley has been a TD machine through three weeks, showing that he's closer to a 1B than No. 2 receiver. The third-year wideout uses picture-perfect route running to generate space that's allowed him to score four TDs in three weeks, with 349 yards on 21 receptions. Ridley leads the NFL with a whopping 116.3 yards per game through three games.
Having both wideouts on the field should make the 0-3 Falcons' passing game potent against a 3-0 Packers defense that has struggled for stretches early this season.
The Falcons announced they have elevated cornerback Delrick Abrams from the practice squad to the active roster in replacement of A.J. Terrell, who was placed on the reserve/COVID list last week. Atlanta also promoted safety Jamal Carter and kicker Elliott Fry in advance of Monday night's game against the Packers.
Safety Damontae Kazee was carted off the field in the second quarter with an apparent leg injury. Pelissero reported that Kazee was ruled out after suffering an Achilles injury. The already ailing secondary took yet another blow when it was announced shortly before halftime that rookie safety Jaylinn Hawkins was being evaluated for a head injury. He did not return.
Here's other news, injuries and transactions we're tracking on Monday:
- Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers avoided a near-disaster late in Monday's game against the Falcons after an awkward landing while trying to evade a sack in the fourth quarter. Rodgers spoke candidly about the tweak post-game. "I think it was more embarrassment than injury," he said. "My ankle kinda, or knee, something, kinda hyperextended maybe a little bit, but I'm alright." Green Bay didn't come away completely unscathed, though, as cornerback Chandon Sullivan (head) was ruled out at halftime and fellow CB Kevin King (quad) exited late with a quad injury. Davante Adams (hamstring) revealed via Twitter earlier in the day that he would not play vs. Falcons. The Packers signed wide receiver Reggie Begelton to the active roster from the practice squad and elevated linebacker De'John Harris and defensive lineman Billy Winn from the practice squad to the active roster.
- New England Patriots offensive lineman Jermaine Eluemunor did not return against the Chiefs due to a migraine. Quarterback Jarrett Stidham replaced starter Brian Hoyer near the end of the third quarter. Running back Sony Michel was downgraded to out vs. Chiefs with a quad injury, the team announced prior to kickoff. Michel will be placed on injured reserve, and New England will activate running back Damien Harris off IR to replace him, per Rapoport. NFL Network's Mike Giardi added that the Pats are activating receiver Gunner Olszewski and elevating receiver Isaiah Zuber from the practice squad.
- Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Michael Danna did not return vs. the Patriots after sustaining a hamstring injury.
- San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters that defensive end Ezekiel Ansah tore his biceps and will miss the rest of the season, and cornerback K'Waun Williams has a knee sprain and is likely headed to short-term IR.
- The New York Jets likely will wait until later this week until making a decision on Sam Darnold's availability for Week 5, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported. Darnold briefly sat out during the Jets' Week 4 loss to the Broncos after suffering an AC joint sprain in his throwing shoulder. Rapoport added that if Darnold is unable to throw during Wednesday's practice that would likely indicate that he will not play Sunday against the Cardinals. New York signed quarterback Mike White to the practice squad and release running back Kalen Ballage from the active roster.
- Indianapolis Colts coach Frank Reich said linebacker Shaquille Leonard is dealing with a groin injury and LB Bobby Okereke suffered a thumb injury that will require surgery. Reich also said left tackle Anthony Castonzo has a rib injury and LB E.J. Speed is set to have a scan done on his elbow.
- Arizona Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury said running back Kenyan Drake (chest) should be OK after taking hard hit against the Panthers. Kingsbury also said he is "hopeful" that tight end Maxx Williams (ankle) will return from IR around bye week (Week 8).
- Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubbis expected to miss six weeks after suffering an MCL sprain, Rapoport reported. Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters Monday that Chubb will be based on injured reserve, but he is not expected to need surgery. Tight end David Njoku, who was placed on injured reserve in September with a knee injury, will be back on the team's active roster this week, per Stefanski.
- Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler is likely to be placed on injured reserve after suffering a serious hamstring injury Sunday, Rapoport reported.
- Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians said they're still waiting on MRI results for tight end O.J. Howard's Achilles injury. Running back LeSean McCoy suffered a Grade 2 ankle sprain, Rapoport reported, and will not play this week, at the very least.
- The Philadelphia Eagles waived rookie running back Adrian Killins Jr..
- The Chicago Bears officially signed RB Lamar Miller to our practice squad & released cornerback Stephen Denmark. The team held a walthrough and listed linebacker Khalil Mack (knee) on the injury report as limited; his desgination is an estimate, per the team.
- The Denver Broncos signed veteran linebacker Nigel Bradham to the practice squad.
- Buffalo Bills coach Sean McDermott said cornerback Levi Wallace is week-to-week with an ankle injury.
- The Miami Dolphins re-signed cornerback Javaris Davis and released quarterback Jake Rudock, who had been signed Saturday.
