Team news: Atlanta Falcons

Falcons TE Kyle Pitts (hamstring) is questionable for Week 18 against the New Orleans Saints.

Pitts is on the verge of the rookie record for yards by a tight end, but his balky hamstring may prevent him from setting the record.

Falcons TE Kyle Pitts (hamstring) was limited Thursday after not practicing Wednesday.

It's an improvement and what fantasy and DFS players are looking for. Pitts is on the cusp of setting the rookie tight end receiving yards record.

This season, in many ways, was a real opportunity for Russell Gage. The potential of a solidified, understood role as a week-in, week-out starter. The chance to emerge during a contract year -- always good timing -- to then receive a payday that could alter life for generations of his family.

But things, well, they haven’t quite gone that way for the 25-year-old from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. In the final year of his contract with the Falcons, it has been a little hit and miss because of an early-season injury and then inconsistent production.

But as the story said, right now, as the season is winding down, he has been hitting more often than missing, potentially finding his way to the ball at the right time. The story went on to say, for the second straight season, Gage’s role has become bigger than initially anticipated. In 2020, Gage became the team’s de facto No. 2 receiver as Julio Jones battled injuries. This year, when he was slated to be the No. 2 receiver after Jones was traded to Tennessee, he in effect became Atlanta’s No. 1 after Calvin Ridley left the team on Halloween to handle personal issues.

Falcons head coach Arthur Smith said last month that there was no update on Ridley, who is on the non-football illness list after stepping away from the team to deal with mental health issues. On Monday, he said things remain status quo when it comes to Ridley.

“As soon as we get an update, we’ll give you an update,” Smith said, via D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “I understand that you’ve got to ask, but there is no update there.”

Ridley only played five games for the Falcons this year and the Falcons’ lack of depth at wideout is illustrated by the fact that Russell Gage is the only receiver with more catches than Ridley had before leaving the team, the story pointed out.

Falcons RB/WR Cordarrelle Patterson (ankle) is questionable for Week 12's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Patterson practiced this week and appears ready to play in a plus matchup.

Falcons RB/WR Cordarrelle Patterson (ankle) returned to practice Wednesday in a limited capacity.

Good news for the Falcons, who have not scored a point in seven quarters without Patterson.

Atlanta Falcons running back/wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson has been ruled out for Week 11 against the New England Patriots.

Atlanta will be without their top running back and wide receiver for their matchup against the New England Patriots. Patterson was likely to be the focus of the Patriots defensive gameplan, and may now shift their sights to Kyle Pitts. Patterson is dealing with an ankle injury and could not get cleared on the short week. Wayne Gallman and Mike Davis will split the backfield duties with Patterson sidelined. Both backs make for interesting flex options but come equipped with low floors due to uncertain roles.