Billy Bowman Jr. is making his 2026 season debut tonight for the Falcons on Thursday Night Football. That’s the biggest news out of Atlanta as the team gets ready for kickoff, and it means the Falcons are gambling big on a guy coming off a brutal injury.
Bowman’s Crucial Return
Bowman Jr. has been listed as questionable with the Achilles injury that ended his 2025 season way back in a Week 12 practice. An Achilles injury is no joke, and to see him active and ready to go for his 2026 debut shows some serious grit. But let’s be real, the Falcons wouldn’t be rushing him back if they didn’t absolutely have to. Starting corner A.J. Terrell Jr. just landed on injured reserve with a groin injury, so the Falcons are in a tight spot and, as the report says, they straight up *need* Bowman this week. It’s a high-stakes return under the brightest lights.
Who’s In and Who’s Out?
Beyond Bowman, the Falcons are rolling without a few other guys. Quarterbacks Cooper Rush and Jack Strand are inactive, as are defensive backs Malcolm DeWalt IV and Robert Longerbeam. Defensive end Samson Ebukam is out with a hamstring issue, and offensive lineman Ethan Onianwa won’t be suiting up either. Over on the Packers side, they’re missing wide receiver Jayden Reed (neck), offensive tackle Zach Bako-Bewele (knee), offensive guard Aaron Banks (knee/toe), defensive tackle Warren Brinson (calf), and defensive tackle Anthony Campbell (ankle). Good news for the Packers, though: nose tackle Javon Hargrave is active after battling a knee/concussion combo and being questionable all week.
It’s a huge test for Bowman tonight, stepping back onto the field after such a serious injury and with his team clearly leaning on him. All eyes are on that Falcons secondary.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
Leave a Reply