The Atlanta Falcons announced Monday night they are placing third-year linebacker JD Bertrand on the reserve/injured list, a move that immediately sidelines him for at least four games as the regular season gets underway. His injury remains undisclosed, which always ramps up the concern for fans. This isn’t just a minor blip, losing a third-year contributor like Bertrand, especially with his injury details under wraps, could really test the Falcons’ linebacker depth right out of the gate.
The Bertrand Blow: An Early Season Mystery
When a team puts a player on IR, especially this early, it’s never good news. For JD Bertrand, a guy who’s been developing in the Falcons’ system, being forced to miss a minimum of four games creates a real hole. What kind of injury is it? The undisclosed nature leaves everyone guessing, and that uncertainty can be tough. The Falcons are going to have to navigate those early matchups without him, and that’s a significant challenge for their defensive scheme. Every snap counts in the regular season, and losing a player for that many games demands immediate adjustments.
Josh Woods Steps Up: A Special Teams Savvy Veteran
To help fill the void left by Bertrand, the Falcons didn’t waste any time, signing veteran linebacker Josh Woods from their practice squad to the active 53-player roster. This isn’t Woods’ first rodeo in Atlanta, he’s been with the team for the past two seasons, so he knows the playbook and the culture. He’s made his mark as a core special teams player, playing 82 percent of those snaps in the 12 games he was active last season, racking up 14 total tackles.
Woods brings a lot of experience to the table, entering the league way back in 2019 as an undrafted free agent with the Bears. He’s bounced around to four different teams over his seven NFL seasons, piling up 137 tackles, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery in his career. While his primary impact might be on special teams, his veteran presence and familiarity with the Falcons could be crucial as they adjust to life without Bertrand. It’s a smart, pragmatic move to bring in a guy who’s proven he can contribute and understands the system.
This season is just starting, and for the Falcons, handling an early IR move like this is a true test. Keep an eye on Woods; how much defensive work does he get beyond his special teams prowess? The team now also has two open spots on their practice squad, which gives them some flexibility moving forward. They’ve got to find a way to patch up that linebacker spot and make sure this doesn’t derail their early momentum.
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.
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