Falcons' Olamide Zaccheaus: Likely set for starting assignment

Zaccheaus is expected to start and could play heavy snaps opposite top receiver Russell Gage in Week 16 with Tajae Sharpe (foot) listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Lions, Scott Bair of the Falcons' official site reports.

Zaccheaus has already been hovering between 40 and 62 percent snap shares in each of the past eight weeks while Calvin Ridley (personal) has been away from the team, averaging 3.1 targets per game during that stretch. The 24-year-old could now get the opportunity to see both his playing time and targets tick up another notch, as Christian Blake and Frank Darby -- who have combined to play 82 snaps on offense all season -- represent the only other receivers on the roster who might help fill in for Sharpe. Bair speculates that the Falcons may also have running back Cordarrelle Patterson and tight end Kyle Pitts line up at receiver spots more often to help compensate for the expected absences of Ridley and Sharpe.