Falcons Face Growing Injury Concerns as Sam Roberts Heads to IR
The Atlanta Falcons’ injury woes have intensified just days before their pivotal Week 11 contest against the Carolina Panthers. In a challenging week, the team has officially placed defensive lineman Sam Roberts on injured reserve after he sustained a lower-body injury during the Falcons’ Week 10 defeat to the Indianapolis Colts in Germany.
Roberts’ Impact and Setback
Roberts, who joined the Falcons ahead of the season, had a brief outing against the Colts, contributing only four defensive snaps and an assisted tackle before exiting the game. This season, Roberts has participated in five games, starting once, and has recorded 18 tackles along with a sack in the Falcons’ victory against the Buffalo Bills in Week 6. With his placement on IR, Roberts is slated to miss at least the next four games, with a potential return in Week 15 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Roster Adjustments
To fill the gap left by Roberts, the Falcons elevated defensive lineman Kentavius Street from the practice squad to the 53-man roster. Although Street has yet to see action this season, he brings a wealth of experience from previous campaigns. Over the last two years, he played in 18 games, including five starts, accumulating 29 tackles, two sacks, a pass breakup, and a fumble recovery. A fourth-round selection in the 2018 NFL Draft, the 6-foot-2, 315-pound lineman has had stints with the San Francisco 49ers, New Orleans Saints, and Philadelphia Eagles before arriving in Atlanta.
Street’s addition is crucial to bolster a defensive line that already includes Brandon Dorlus, David Onyemata, Ruke Orhorhoro, and LaCale London. Notably, he becomes just the second player on the roster weighing over 300 pounds, addressing some depth concerns as the team prepares for the impending matchup.
Looking Ahead to the Panthers
The Falcons are gearing up to face the Carolina Panthers in a must-win situation, seeking redemption after suffering a 30-point shutout loss in their earlier encounter during Week 3. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. As the Falcons look to turn the tide after four consecutive losses, the Panthers enter the game having dropped two of their last three contests. The stakes are high as both teams vie for a critical victory in the competitive NFC South.
