Jake Matthews, the guy who just hit 199 consecutive starts for the Falcons, might see that insane streak end. He completely sat out practice Wednesday, just two days after getting knocked out of their Monday night win against the Saints in the first quarter with a groin injury. He never even returned to that game.
Matthews’ Iron Man Streak Hits a Snag
It’s a huge blow for the Falcons’ offensive line. Matthews’ 199 consecutive starts isn’t just a big number, it’s the longest active streak in the entire NFL. Think about that consistency! Now, with him on the sidelines, the situation looks even more dicey because his backup, Michael Jerrell, is also banged up. Jerrell was a limited participant in practice due to an ankle injury. The only glimmer of hope? Josh Kendall from TheAthletic.com reported that Jerrell is anticipating some backup snaps in practice this week. That *could* be a signal that Matthews might actually be available, but right now, it feels like a long shot. The depth chart here is suddenly looking super thin.
Injury Bug Hitting Harder Than Just the O-Line
It’s not just Matthews causing headaches for the Falcons either. Their defensive line and linebacking corps are dealing with some serious issues. Defensive end Za’Darius Smith didn’t practice at all Wednesday, battling both a concussion and a neck injury. That’s a double whammy for a key pass rusher. On top of that, linebacker Yasir Abdullah also missed practice with a hamstring injury. Rounding out the defensive injury report, defensive end Cam Thomas was limited in practice due to a shoulder issue. The Falcons are going to have to figure out how to patch up these holes if they want to keep their momentum going.
The Falcons have some serious questions to answer before they take the field again. Keeping an eye on those injury reports is gonna be key to see who’s even suiting up. This is a tough spot for them to be in, and they’ve gotta make some quick decisions.
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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