The Atlanta Falcons proceed to have very small roles for his or her 2024 rookie class, which has been the case a lot of the 12 months. Which will change within the close to future.
That’s as a result of with Kirk Cousins struggling, it’s a minimum of possible Michael Penix might enter the lineup. Ruke Orhorhoro is on the verge of coming back from injured reserve, JD Bertrand ought to be again in motion on particular groups quickly, and Brandon Dorlus has performed effectively sufficient to carve out a permanent function.
Right here’s your Week 13 rookie report.
QB Michael Penix
The rookie quarterback has not taken over the beginning job, however for the primary time for the reason that Week 1 debacle, it’s starting to really feel like he would possibly sooner or later. Kirk Cousins has been struggling mightily; Penix has declared himself able to go whereas throwing stylish assist behind Cousins. The hope is that Cousins will get again on observe and we don’t see Penix till a minimum of 2025, as a result of that might be excellent news for the 2024 season, however don’t rule it out. He didn’t play in Week 13.
DL Ruke Orhorhoro
The Falcons have opened Orhorhoro’s follow window off of injured reserve, which opens the door for him to return to the sector as quickly as this week. Ruke had missed 5 weeks after a few promising performances, and getting him again will additional bolster an bettering line of defense.
OLB Bralen Trice
We nonetheless miss him, however Lorenzo Carter and Arnold Ebiketie taking part in effectively this week means I’m not pining over what might need been fairly as arduous this week. We’ll see Trice in 2025.
DL Brandon Dorlus
Ten snaps for Dorlus on Sunday, with a stable if quiet day that included a single deal with. What’s extra attention-grabbing is that Dorlus moved round a bit, taking part in primarily finish and a few snaps within the B hole after spending most of his time inside in Week 11. He could fade into the background if Ruke returns this week, however there’s promise right here.
LB JD Bertrand
No Bertrand this week, however I’ll proceed to be concerned with what his function is when he returns to motion. He’s a key particular groups cog, however whether or not he can steal a couple of snaps from Nate Landman and Troy Andersen on protection stays to be seen.
RB Jase McClellan
No McClellan this week, both, as he was as soon as once more inactive. A bigger function than mop-up obligation isn’t coming in 2024.
WR Casey Washington
Particular groups work once more for Washington, in a repeat of final week. The Falcons play a really tight grouping of three prime receivers and solely often combine in KhaDarel Hodge, so there’s simply little room for Washington to contribute. Maybe in 2025.
