Team news: Atlanta Falcons | Page 16

Because Kenny Golladay has a $21.2 million salary cap figure, a trade would be extremely difficult to pull off unless the Giants pay a major portion of his salary to unload him. If the Giants cut him, they would have $25 million in dead money. So, this awkward relationship is expected to continue.

A healthy scratch could be in the offing next for Golladay.

Related players: Sterling Shepard, Wan'Dale Robinson, Kadarius Toney, Richie James, David Sills, Darius Slayton

The story said the Giants are looking for WR help. Slayton, who recently accepted a pay cut, played one snap against Carolina. Shepard was the leading receiver with six receptions for 34 yards on 10 targets. Golladay played two snaps in Week 2. But, the Giants averaged just 5.1 yards per pass attempt by quarterback Daniel Jones, the story went on to say. Robinson, who is currently hurt, could be a factor if he can get back in the lineup. The Giants brass seems to be playing their guys right now, and not forcing a high-priced, inherited contract like Golladay's into the lineup just because he's making money.

The Falcons are trying to scheme for Kyle Pitts – a source told ESPN that 13 of Atlanta’s passing plays Sunday had Pitts as the primary target – the production just hasn’t come yet.

The story went on to say Pitts has to win his matchups better. He openly admitted that Sunday, and according to NFL Next Gen Stats, his average yards of separation when the ball arrives is 2.11 yards – No. 27 among qualifying tight ends and No. 138 among all pass-catchers, between Baltimore wide receiver Devin Duvernay and Jacksonville receiver Zay Jones. Sometimes the quarterback, Marcus Mariota, sees something else. Defenses are paying attention to Pitts, too, it went on to say.

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.

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.

Falcons wide receiver Drake London, the eighth overall pick in this year’s NFL draft, returned to practice Monday.

Falcons head coach Arthur Smith on London: "He’s progressing." On if he expects him to be ready to play, "We’ll see what he looks like.” The team may ease the rookie into action, so his fantasy viability could be iffy to kickoff the season. He is currently ranked as a WR3 here at 4for4, but could shape into a main focal point of the offense alongside teammate Kyle Pitts.