Team news: Atlanta Falcons | Page 9

Sophomore WR Rondale Moore is one of a handful of players who have already been ruled out for Sunday's contest.

Related Players: Greg Dortch, A.J. Green

Kyler Murray's skill position group will be limited once again, as the 3-WR set appears to be Marquise Brown, Greg Dortch, and A.J. Green. Though Greg Dortch was a pleasant surprise in Week 1, Green's 0.42 yards per route run ranked 84th out of 89 qualifying wide receivers.

Saints WR Michael Thomas (hamstring) and Falcons WR Drake London (knee) are both expected to play in Sunday's game in Atlanta.

Both were listed as questionable as both were limited all week. But both seem ready to roll in Sunday's early NFC South matchup. Thomas will be playing his first game since the Saints' playoff loss against the Buccaneers after the 2020 season. With Chris Olave and Jarvis Landry in the mix, the Saints can take it easy if they need to with Thomas, but you know Thomas is eager to get out on the field for a regular-season game. Thomas is currently our No. 30 WR this week.

As for London, he can be a tricky start. Between the injury and his first NFL start against a strong Saints defense, he's a bit of a risky start. Kyle Pitts will likely see a chunk of the targets. The Falcons can also mix in Olamide Zaccheaus and KhaDarel Hodge. London checks in at No. 48 on the half-PPR WR rankings.

George Kittle has missed the last three days of practice due to a groin injury but was quoted as saying, “Feeling significantly better than where we were at Monday, even better than Wednesday, even better than Thursday. Taking great steps forward. Definitely doing everything I can to be on the field Sunday. I’ve had games in the past where I haven’t practiced all week and played. Hopefully, getting off the plane, I feel better tomorrow and Saturday, and then I have an actual opportunity to be out there and play.”

Related Players: Charlie Woerner

Judging by his comments, a betting person would likely put money down that Kittle plays on Sunday, but to what extent may be a question. In the first game of the season against the lowly Bears, the 49ers could be conservative with one of the, if not the, best all-around tight ends in the league. Charlie Woerner is listed as the TE2 on the depth chart, and the overall offensive explosiveness would take a hit if Kittle has to spend some or all of Sunday on the sideline.

Interior offensive lineman joins Rondale Moore in the Out category, while veteran Zach Ertz is questionable heading into Sunday.

Related Players: A.J. Green, Trey McBride

This doesn't look good for Kyler Murray coming out of the gate, going against an explosive Chiefs offense on the other sideline. Marquise Brown and A.J. Green may join James Conner as being the focal point of the Cardinals offense.

Rondale Moore's leg will need further examinations, including an MRI, before judging if and how much time he is likely to miss.

Related Players: AJ Green

If Moore is forced to miss time, the team's wide receiver room will feature Marquise Brown, A.J. Green, and not much else. TE Zach Ertz is also dealing with a calf injury, possibly further limiting Kyler Murray's passing game options for Week 1.

Falcons rookie WR Drake London (knee) moving around like a guy who will be playing Sunday against the Saints. Atlanta still officially on the fence about his availability.

We just posted a report about how the Falcons don't expect to know about London's status until later in the week. However, Kendall's video looks promising and London appears to be moving smoothly in the drill.

Falcons HC Arthur Smith on Drake London, "We won't know until the end of the week."

Related players: Kyle Pitts, KhaDarel Hodge, Bryan Edwards, Olamide Zaccheaus

London practiced Monday, but beyond that and for Sunday's game the team doesn't expect to know much else until later. Pitts could be in line for a ton of targets if London is out and the WR work falls to Hodge, Edwards and Zaccheaus.

Chris Godwin, on the In the Moment podcast with David Greene was asked if he would play Week 1. "I don't think any of us know that yet. There's stuff that circulates and half the time I'm like, 'I have no idea where people get this from."

Related players: Russell Gage, Julio Jones, Breshad Perriman, Scott Miller

Stroud tweeted a few posts on the Godwin interview. Godwin said it would come down to feel, but also added while he wants to be there the whole season, he knows it's most important to be there at the end of the season and playoffs. It sounds like Godwin wants to be smart about coming back and make sure it's the right time. If he doesn't go, Gage, Jones, Perriman and Miller should get snaps behind Mike Evans.