Falcons' David Onyemata: Productive second season in Atlanta
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Onyemata finished the 2024 season with 45 total tackles (23 solo), including 3.0 sacks, while also adding a pass defensed over 17 games.
Onyemata was able to appear in all 17 of Atlanta's games this season, reaching 45 takedowns, which is his second-highest total in nine NFL campaigns. The nose tackle remains under contract with the Falcons for one more year and will likely return to his starting role with the team in 2025.
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Falcons' David Onyemata: Notches sack in loss
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Onyemata recorded four total tackles (two solo), including 1.0 sacks, in Sunday's 17-13 loss to the Chargers.
Onyemata was able to get to Justin Herbert for his first sack since Week 5, raising his season total to 2.0 sacks over 12 games. The defensive lineman has now registered 34 total tackles (17 solo), including the 2.0 sacks, while also securing a pass defensed in 2024.
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Falcons' David Onyemata: Clear starter in Week 1
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Onyemata produced two tackles (one solo) during Sunday's 18-10 loss to the Steelers.
Onyemata played 43 of Atlanta's 68 defensive snaps in Week 1, a solid amount for a 300-pound DT, but his production was lackluster. Onyemata finished with a career-high 50 tackles, including 4.0 sacks, last season, but he may face more double teams this season, as Atlanta's switch to a 3-4 defense may leave him alone in the middle of the trenches more often.
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Falcons' David Onyemata: Career-high 50 tackles in 2023
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Onyemata finished 2023 with 50 tackles (25 solo), 4.0 sacks, three pass defenses and two forced fumbles in 14 appearances.
After seven years in New Orleans, Onyemata joined the Falcons on a three-year deal last offseason. In his first season with Atlanta, the 2016 fourth-round pick notched career highs in tackles and forced fumbles despite missing three games due to injury. Onyemata likely won't flirt with double-digit sacks, but he's recorded multiple sacks in seven straight seasons, totaling 27 during that stretch. Onyemata figures to remain a key piece of Atlanta's defense over the next two seasons.
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Falcons' David Onyemata: Limited Wednesday
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Onyemata (ankle) was limited in Wednesday's practice.
Onyemata has been dealing with the ankle issue for weeks but was able to play last week after missing the previous two games. He played his normal allotment of snaps versus Indianapolis but recorded zero tackles and just one quarterback hit.
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Falcons' David Onyemata: Active Sunday
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Onyemata (ankle) is active for Sunday's game against the Colts.
The starting nose tackle is back after a two-game absence. Onyemata's return should relegate Ta'Quon Graham to the bench. Onyemata has 45 tackles, three passes defensed and two forced fumbles in 2023.
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Falcons' David Onyemata: Questionable for Week 16
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Onyemata (ankle) is considered questionable to play Sunday versus the Colts, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reports.
Onyemata was able to practice in a limited capacity this week after missing the last two games with an ankle injury, but his status is still uncertain for Week 16. If he's forced to sit out again, Ta'Quon Graham will draw another start at nose tackle.
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Falcons' David Onyemata: Manages limited practice
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Onyemata (ankle) was a limited participant during practice Thursday, Amna Subhan of the Falcons' official site reports.
Onyemata was able to log a limited practice Thursday after sitting out Wednesday's session with an ankle injury. The veteran nose tackle missed both Week 14 and Week 15, so his upgrade in practice participation is a good sign. Onyemata will have one more opportunity to turn in a full practice and head into a Week 16 matchup against the Colts without an injury designation.
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Falcons' David Onyemata: Wont play Week 15
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Onyemata (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Panthers, Scott Bair of the Falcons' official site reports.
Onyemata entered the weekend deemed questionable to suit up Sunday, but he was officially ruled out Saturday. This will be his second straight missed contest and third overall this season. In Onyemata's stead, Ta'Quon Graham will likely see a larger role.
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Falcons' David Onyemata: Misses practice Thursday
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Onyemata (ankle) did not participate in practice Thursday.
Onyemata's Thursday absence was preceded by a limited practice Wednesday, casting some doubt on his availability for Sunday's game against the Panthers. The 31-year-old defensive tackle was unable to practice last week before ultimately being ruled out for Week 14. Onyemata will have one more opportunity to practice Friday ahead of Week 15.
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Falcons' David Onyemata: Out for Sunday
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Onyemata (ankle) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Buccaneers.
The veteran defensive tackle has been dealing with an ankle issue since the beginning of November, and he was unable to practice all week, so it's no surprise that he's since been ruled out ahead of Sunday's affair. With Onyemata missing time, expect Ta'Quon Graham to serve as Atlanta's top nose tackle in Week 14.
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Falcons' David Onyemata: Inactive Sunday
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Onyemata (ankle) will not play in Sunday's clash with the Cardinals.
Although Onyemata was upgraded to consecutive limited practices to finish the week, he will ultimately be held out. In his absence, look for Ta'Quon Graham to fill in at nose tackle.
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Falcons' David Onyemata: Upgraded to limited Thursday
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Onyemata (ankle) returned to practice Thursday, getting in a limited session.
Onyemata was listed as DNP on Wednesday, but the Thursday return puts the veteran lineman on track to play against the Cardinals on Sunday. Onyemata has started all nine games this season, recording 39 tackles (18 solo), including 3.5 sacks, three batted passes and one forced fumble on 65 percent of the defensive snaps.
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Falcons' David Onyemata: Records first sack of season
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Onyemata recorded seven tackles (two solo), including 1.5 sacks, during Sunday's 23-7 loss to Jacksonville.
Onyemata finished with a season-high seven tackles and notched his first QB takedown of 2023, making him one of the lone bright spots in an ugly loss. After seven years in New Orleans, the veteran opted for a bigger role with the Falcons, and he's off to a quick start with his new squad. In 2020, Onyemata set career highs with 44 tackles and 6.5 sacks across 15 appearances. If he continues at this pace, the 30-year-old may surpass those numbers this season.
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Saints' David Onyemata: Suspended for start of season
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Onyemata revealed Friday that he'll be suspended for part of the 2021 season after testing positive for a banned substance, Katherine Terrell of The Athletic reports.
Onyemata didn't elaborate on the length of his suspension, but recent PED bans (WR Will Fuller, CB Bradley Roby) suggest it could be up to six games. The 28-year-old defensive tackle made 30 starts for New Orleans over the past two seasons, including a 2020 breakout with career highs for tackles (44), QB hits (16) and sacks (6.5). The Saints already had issues with depth at defensive tackle after losing Malcom Brown (to the Jaguars) and Sheldon Rankins (to the Jets) earlier this offseason. The current roster doesn't offer much experience at defensive tackle behind projected starters Onyemata and Shy Tuttle.
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Saints' David Onyemata: First career interception
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Onyemata recorded an interception in the Saints' 38-3 win over the Buccaneers on Sunday.
The big man nabbed his first career interception Sunday, salvaging an otherwise uneventful day. Through eight games, Onyemata is well on his way to a career year in his fifth NFL season.
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Saints' David Onyemata: Records sack in win
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Onyemata finished with one solo tackle, one sack and a tackle for a loss in the Saints' 35-29 win over the Lions on Sunday.
Onyemata was held out of Week 3's loss to the Packers, but he returned in Week 4 for a productive showing. He recorded his second sack in as many games played and remains a weekly threat to get to the quarterback as long as he takes the field.
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Saints' David Onyemata: Back to full health
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Onyemata (calf) is not listed on Thursday's injury report, Luke Johnson of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.
Onyemata wasn't able to suit up against the Packers on Sunday, but it looks as though he's now fully recovered from his calf injury. He's on track to handle his usual rotational role at Detroit in Week 4.
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Saints' David Onyemata: Dealing with calf issue
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Onyemata (calf) is listed as questionable for Sunday's contest against the Packers, Amie Just of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.
Onyemata didn't appear on the Saints' practice report until Friday, when he was limited due to a calf injury. The development may indicate a brand-new health concern, but the defensive front nonetheless enters the weekend banged up, with Onyemata, Marcus Davenport (elbow) and Trey Hendrickson (groin) all questionable for Sunday's game.
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Saints' David Onyemata: Records sack in win
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Onyemata totaled two tackles (both solo), one sack and a tackle for a loss in the Saints' 34-31 win over the Panthers on Sunday.
Onyemata recorded his third sack of the season in Sunday's win and his first since Week 8. The fourth-year tackle's production hasn't been fruitful for fantasy purposes as he's collected 25 tackles (19 solo) and has yet to force a turnover across 10 games on the season.
