The Atlanta Falcons are sorting through some injuries along their offensive line after losing two starters during the team’s Week 3 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. On Tuesday, the team placed center Drew Dalman on the injured reserve list with an ankle sprain.
Dalman, one of the team’s most underrated offensive linemen, can return in four weeks. The Falcons will look to backup center Ryan Neuzil to start in the meantime, but they’re still tweaking the roster to give themselves other options.
On Tuesday, the team signed offensive lineman Elijah Wilkinson off the practice squad and filled his spot with offensive lineman Matt Hennessy. Atlanta drafted Hennessy in the third round back in 2020 and the former Temple center started 17 games for the team in 2021.
Hennessy lost his starting job to Dalman in 2022 and was placed on injured reserve before the 2023 season began. The Philadelphia Eagles signed Hennessy over the offseason but released him as part of final cuts.
Falcons head coach Raheem Morris was the interim coach for most of Hennessy’s rookie season in 2020, so don’t be surprised to see the team elevate him for Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints.
Dalman has been removed from the depth chart and Wilkinson was listed as a backup to Matt Bergeron at left guard. Right tackle Kaleb McGary was also injured in Week 3, suffering an apparent knee injury. However, McGary’s status is still up in the air.
