The Falcons placed Hughes (ankle) on injured reserve Thursday, Tori McElhaney of the team's official site reports.
Hughes' placement on IR follows an announcement from head coach Raheem Morris on Wednesday that the starting cornerback would miss Sunday's regular-season finale against the Saints. With Hughes officially done for the year, Cobee Bryant is expected to step into a starting role at outside cornerback versus New Orleans.
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Falcons' Mike Hughes: Done for season
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Coach Raheem Morris said Hughes (ankle) will miss Sunday's regular-season finale against the Saints, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Hughes will end up missing the final three games of the season and wraps up the 2025 campaign with 51 tackles (40 solo) and seven pass breakups, including one interception, across 12 starts. Hughes has two years remaining on a three-year, $18 million deal.
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Falcons' Mike Hughes: Ruled out for Monday Night Football
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Hughes (ankle) is ruled out for Monday's game against the Rams, Terrin Waack of the Falcons' official site reports.
Hughes will miss a second-consecutive contest due to his ankle injury. In his stead, Atlanta will likely rely on Cobee Bryant to handle a starting role at outside cornerback while Deven Thompkins dominates reps in the return game.
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Falcons' Mike Hughes: Unlikely to return Week 17
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Falcons coach Raheem Morris said Wednesday that Hughes (ankle) probably won't play Monday against the Rams, Josh Kendall of The Athletic reports.
Hughes therefore seems set to miss his second straight game due to the ankle injury he suffered against Tampa Bay in Week 15. Rookie Cobee Bryant saw more work at cornerback this past Sunday against Arizona, as did veteran C.J. Henderson. Both could again have a defensive role if Hughes indeed sits out against Los Angeles.
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Falcons' Mike Hughes: Picks off Darnold in Week 14 loss
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Hughes tallied six solo tackles and an interception during the Falcons' 37-9 loss to the Seahawks on Sunday.
Hughes picked off a Sam Darnold pass that was tipped by A.J. Terrell early in the second quarter, though the Falcons weren't able to convert the turnover into points after Zane Gonzalez's 50-yard field goal was blocked by Nick Emmanwori. Not only was it Hughes' first interception of the season, but it was also his first pick since Week 1 of the 2021 campaign as a member of the Chiefs. The veteran corner is up to 51 tackles (40 solo) and seven pass defenses through 11 regular-season games.
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Falcons' Mike Hughes: Trending toward playing Sunday
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Hughes (neck) was a full participant at practice Wednesday, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.
Hughes has missed Atlanta's last two contests due to a lingering neck issue, but it appears he's back in playing shape to begin Week 12 prep. He projects to start on the boundary opposite A.J. Terrell against a pass-first New Orleans offense Sunday.
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Falcons' Mike Hughes: Missing second straight game
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Hughes (neck) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Panthers, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.
Hughes was limited in all three practices during Week 11 prep but he will be sidelined for a second consecutive game due to a neck injury. With Dee Alford (concussion) also inactive, the Falcons may move Billy Bowman from slot to outside corner or start Mike Ford, Natrone Brooks or Cobee Bryant opposite A.J. Terrell. Hughes' next opportunity to play is Week 12 against the Saints on Sunday, Nov. 23.
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Falcons' Mike Hughes: Could return in Week 11
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Hughes (neck) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Panthers, Marc Raimondi of ESPN.com reports.
Hughes was sidelined for the Falcons' Week 10 loss to the Colts due to a neck injury, but following a week of limited practice sessions, he's got a chance to return Sunday. The 28-year-old is one of Atlanta's top outside corners, recording 33 total tackles and five passes defended over eight appearances this season. If he's forced to miss his second consecutive game in Week 11, expect Xavier Watts and Billy Bowman to have expanded roles in the Falcons' secondary.
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Falcons' Mike Hughes: Questionable for Berlin game
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Hughes (neck) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Colts, Josh Kendall of The Athletic reports.
If Hughes is unable to suit up Sunday morning in Berlin, Natrone Brooks could step into a starting role at outside cornerback. Hughes has 33 tackles (22 solo) and five passes defensed this season.
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Falcons' Mike Hughes: Won't return Sunday
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Hughes (shoulder) has been ruled out for the rest of Sunday's game against the Panthers, Sheena Quick of Fox Sports Radio 1340 reports.
Hughes injured his shoulder in the first half of Sunday's game, and it appears serious enough for him to be ruled out for the rest of the contest. Clark Phillips will serve as the second outside corner opposite A.J. Terrell for the rest of the contest.
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Falcons' Mike Hughes: Six tackles in defeat
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Hughes recorded six total tackles (three solo) in Sunday night's 30-24 overtime loss to the Commanders.
Hughes continued his hot stretch in Week 17, reaching at least six takedowns for the third game in a row. Over those contests, the cornerback has compiled 19 total tackles (12 solo) and three passes defensed. On the year, Hughes has now registered a career-high 65 total tackles (50 solo) and six passes defensed over 14 games.
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Falcons' Mike Hughes: Playing Sunday vs. Minnesota
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Hughes (neck) is active for Sunday's game against the Vikings.
Hughes missed the Falcons' last two games due to a neck injury he suffered in Week 10 against the Saints. He was a full participant in practice all week, and he's progressed in his recovery enough to return to action Sunday. Hughes will reclaim his starting outside corner spot from Clark Philips.
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Falcons' Mike Hughes: Past neck issue
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Hughes (neck) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.
Hughes missed the Falcons' last two games due to a neck injury sustained in a Week 10 loss to the Saints, but Wednesday's full practice session suggests that he's since recovered. With Hughes back at full health, he's expected to start opposite A.J. Terrell as part of Atlanta's top outside cornerback duo in Week 14, when the Falcons travel to Minnesota.
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Falcons' Mike Hughes: Still nursing neck issue
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Hughes (neck) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Daniel Flick of SI.com reports.
The veteran cornerback was held out of the Falcons' Week 11 loss to the Broncos after sustaining a neck injury the week prior. Hughes has appeared in 10 games this season, recording 46 total tackles and three passes defended. If he's forced to miss his second consecutive game with this neck issue in a Week 13 matchup against the Chargers, expect Clark Phillips to see additional work in Atlanta's secondary.
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Falcons' Mike Hughes: Estimated as limited Wednesday
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Hughes (neck) was listed as a limited participant on Wednesday's estimated injury report, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.
Hughes left Sunday's game against the Saints due to a neck injury, but an MRI on Monday came back clean, which cleared the 2018 first-round pick to practice this week. Wednesday's session was a walkthrough, so his practice participation over the next two days will provide a clearer idea of his status heading into Sunday's game against the Broncos.
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Falcons' Mike Hughes: Gets clear MRI
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Hughes underwent an MRI on his neck Monday and has been cleared to practice, Daniel Flick of SI.com reports.
Hughes suffered the injury in Sunday's loss to the Saints and his clear MRI is good news for the UCF product. It's not clear if he'll be able to play Sunday against the Broncos, but more clarity on that front will likely emerge when the Falcons release their first injury report Wednesday.
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Falcons' Mike Hughes: Exits Week 10 with neck injury
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Hughes hurt his neck in Sunday's game against New Orleans and is questionable to return, Marc Raimondi of ESPN.com reports.
Hughes was hurt in the first half and has since been deemed questionable to return. He was replaced at cornerback by Clark Phillips. Hughes has been a key member of Atlanta's secondary this season, tallying 45 tackles (38 solo) and three defensed passes over nine contests entering Sunday.
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Falcons' Mike Hughes: Eventful day in win
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Hughes notched seven solo tackles during Sunday's 26-24 win over the Saints.
Hughes has recorded at least five tackles in each game thus far, totaling 25 stops. He has adjusted to playing outside cornerback well and is on pace for a career-best campaign. He notched a career-high 51 tackles in 2022 while playing for the Lions.
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Falcons' Mike Hughes: Working at outside CB
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Hughes is the starting cornerback opposite A.J. Terrell to begin training camp, Josh Kendall of The Athletic reports.
Hughes is working ahead of second-year CB Clark Phillips and veteran Kevin King, but Kendall added the Falcons may be in the market for a free-agent cornerback, noting Xavien Howard, Stephon Gilmore, Adoree' Jackson and J.C. Jackson are all still available. Hughes operated mostly as a slot cornerback while mixing in some return duties last year, his first in Atlanta.
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Falcons' Mike Hughes: Carves out role to end 2023
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Hughes finished 2023 with 21 tackles (14 solo) and one pass defense in 15 appearances. He also recorded 46 kick-return yards and 67 punt-return yards.
Hughes signed a two-deal deal with the Falcons last offseason after a strong campaign with Detroit. He operated primarily as a return man to open 2023, but he slowly relinquished those duties to Dee Alford and started to carve out a defensive role. Hughes is under contract for one more season and figures to garner a similar role in 2024, though Atlanta may look to revamp its cornerback room behind A.J. Terrell this offseason.
