Falcons Set for Regular-Season Finale vs. Saints as Roster Moves and Injury Updates Take Shape

The Dirty Birds are back home to close out the regular season.

Ahead of the regular-season finale, the Atlanta Falcons return to Mercedes-Benz Stadium to face the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, January 4, with kickoff set for 1:00 p.m. As the team prepares for the division matchup, Atlanta wrapped up the week managing injuries, adjusting the roster, and setting the tone for one final push.

The Falcons held a walkthrough on Wednesday, with the practice report serving as an estimate. Wide receiver Drake London and tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. both continued to manage knee injuries with limited participation, while safety DeMarcco Hellams and defensive lineman Sam Roberts were also limited as they worked through hamstring and knee/ankle issues, respectively. Cornerbacks Mike Hughes and Clark Phillips III, along with defensive lineman Brandon Dorlus, did not participate.

Thursday brought a similar picture, with Darnell Mooney added to the injury report due to a knee issue. London, Pitts, Hellams and Roberts remained limited, while Hughes, Phillips and Dorlus again did not participate.

By Friday, Hellams and Roberts returned to full participation, a positive sign heading into the weekend. London, Pitts and Mooney remained limited, along with safety Jessie Bates III and linebacker Kaden Elliss, who were listed as resting. Clark Phillips III and Brandon Dorlus were ruled out, while several veterans, including Jake Matthews, Leonard Floyd, Charlie Woerner and David Onyemata, did not participate for rest purposes.

The final game status report lists Mooney, London, Pitts, Hellams and Roberts as questionable. Phillips and Dorlus have officially been ruled out.

Atlanta also made several roster moves ahead of the finale. The Falcons signed EDGE Khalid Kareem to the active roster and added punter Trenton Gill to the practice squad, while cornerback Mike Hughes was placed on the reserve/injured list.

Kareem, a fifth-round pick by Cincinnati in 2020 out of Notre Dame, has appeared in 33 NFL games across stops with the Bengals, Colts, Bears and Falcons. He suited up for three games with Atlanta this season, recording five tackles, one tackle for loss and a pass defense. Gill, a seventh-round pick by Chicago in 2022, has punted in 42 career games with the Bears and Buccaneers, averaging 45.6 yards per punt and placing 47 kicks inside the 20.

In additional moves, the Falcons designated safety DeMarcco Hellams to return to practice and signed defensive lineman Patrick Jenkins to the practice squad. Jenkins, who played collegiately at Tulane after transferring from TCU, brings interior depth after recording 12 sacks and 26 tackles for loss during his time with the Green Wave.

With one game left on the schedule, Atlanta’s focus now turns to finishing the season the right way. A familiar rival, a home crowd, and a division matchup set the stage for the Falcons to close out the year with purpose against New Orleans. #RiseUp