Falcons' Olamide Zaccheaus: Comes alive against Bears
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Zaccheaus hauled in four of his six targets for 41 receiving yards during Sunday's 30-26 loss to Chicago.
With Julio Jones (hamstring) ruled out pre-game and Russell Gage forced to exit partway through Sunday's contest because of a head injury, Zaccheaus suddenly found himself in place as the No. 2 wide receiver within Atlanta's high-flying passing attack. After seeing just one target thrown his way across the first two weeks of 2020, Zaccheaus doubled his previous career high in catches by corralling four passes from Matt Ryan on Sunday. If Jones and Gage are forced to sit out again when the Falcons take on the Packers next Monday night, Zaccheaus remains situated for increased work in the offense.
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Falcons' Younghoe Koo: Plays through leg strain
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Koo suffered a leg strain prior to Sunday's game against the Bears, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Koo's injury explains why he didn't handle kickoff duties Sunday. The 26-year-old also had a pair of misses during the loss to Chicago, as he converted two of three field-goal tries and two of three extra-point attempts. He'll look to get fully healthy before Week 4's game against the Packers on Monday Night Football rolls around.
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Falcons' Matt Ryan: Inefficient Week 3 outing
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Ryan was 19-for-38 passing with 238 yards, one touchdown and one interception during Sunday's 30-26 loss to Chicago.
The Bears got to Ryan with only two sacks on the afternoon, but the defense certainly made its presence felt in generating eight QB hits. After posting a 67.8 percent completion rate Weeks 1 and 2, the 2016 MVP hit on just half of his throws during Week 3 -- tied for his lowest completion percentage in a game since Atlanta's 2018 season opener. Ryan still has potential to put up gaudy numbers moving forward despite an off day against the Bears, as he's thrown an astronomical 42.7 pass attempts per game through three appearances this season. He'll face a Packers defense Week 4 that ranks among the bottom 10 teams in the NFL with 8.0 yards allowed per pass attempt.
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Falcons' Calvin Ridley: Hits century mark again
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Ridley caught five of his 13 targets for a total of 110 receiving yards during Sunday's 30-26 loss to Chicago. He also registered seven yards on his lone rush attempt.
As Julio Jones sat with a left hamstring strain, Ridley dominated the target share, attracting more than double the targets of Atlanta's No. 2 option, Olamide Zaccheaus (six). Had the third-year receiver been able to register a touchdown Sunday, he would have joined Randy Moss, Marvin Harrison, Jerry Rice and Dwight Clark as the only players in NFL history to start a season with three straight 100-yard, one-TD games. Safe to say, Ridley is red-hot heading into a Week 4 matchup against a Packers defense that surrendered the second-most receiving TDs to opposing wideouts Weeks 1 and 2.
Hill ran for 58 yards and a touchdown on nine carries, also hauling in one of three targets for 22 receiving yards during Sunday's 30-26 loss to the Bears.
Hill was repeatedly referred to as one of the breakouts of Falcons training camp this summer, but he mustered only 10 combined offensive touches for 45 scrimmage yards Weeks 1 and 2. The 24-year-old was clearly more integral to the game plan this time around, as Hill's 10 touches marked his highest total since he last started at running back Week 12 of last season. Additionally, the fact that Ito Smith and Qadree Ollison were both active against Chicago indicates that Hill's increased usage may be a recurring trend going forward. Atlanta's Week 4 opponent, Green Bay, entered Sunday tied for the fourth-most rushing TDs allowed to opposing running backs (three), meaning that Hill has a reasonable chance of reaching the end zone for a second straight game.
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Falcons' Todd Gurley: Solid performance against Bears
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Gurley registered 80 rushing yards and a touchdown on 14 carries, also catching one of his two targets for two receiving yards during Sunday's 30-26 loss to the Bears.
The two-time All-Pro back enjoyed an efficient afternoon on the ground, as his 5.7 yards-per-carry average against the Bears marks his best since Week 10 of last season. Gurley punched in a 10-yard TD run at the 12:34 mark of the third quarter to provide Atlanta with a two-possession lead, but for a second straight week, the Falcons blew a second-half lead of at least 16 points. He has just three total receiving yards through three games, but a workload of 16.3 rush attempts per game is enough to retain Gurley as a strong fantasy play heading into a Week 4 matchup against the Packers. Coming into the weekend, Green Bay ranked among the NFL's 10 worst defenses with 4.9 yards per carry allowed to opposing running backs.
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Falcons' Grady Jarrett: Suffers injury Sunday
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Jarrett (hip) exited Sunday's contest against the Bears, Jeff Schultz of The Athletic reports.
It's unclear how Jarrett suffered the injury, however, he's been unable to return to the game since the first half. As long as Jerrett is sidelined, Marlon Davidson would be in line for an uptick in snaps.
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Falcons' Russell Gage: Done for day
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Gage had been ruled out for the rest of Sunday's game versus the Bears due to a head injury, Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
While it hasn't been confirmed, Gage is expected to have a concussion. With Julio Jones (hamstring) already sidelined, Christian Blake, Olamide Zaccheaus and Brandon Powell should all handle a decent workload the rest of the game.
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Falcons' Russell Gage: Exits Sunday's game
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Gage is being evaluated for a possible head injury and is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Bears, Jason Butt of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
With Gage iffy to return and Julio Jones (hamstring) already inactive, the Falcons' top options at wideout are currently Calvin Ridley, Christian Blake and Olamide Zaccheaus.
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Falcons' Christian Blake: Starting for Julio Jones
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Blake is slated to serve as one of the Falcons' three starting receivers Sunday against the Bears with Julio Jones (hamstring) inactive for the contest, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com reports.
Blake has played 16 total offensive snaps through the Falcons' first two games, drawing zero targets. He should see a big spike in playing time Week 3 with Jones in street clothes, but Blake probably shouldn't be counted on to see much volume headed his way. Instead, Matt Ryan will likely funnel most of Jones' vacated targets to wideouts Calvin Ridley and Russell Gage, tight end Hayden Hurst and running back Todd Gurley.
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Falcons' Allen Bailey: Tabbed to start against Chicago
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Bailey will be in the starting lineup against the Bears now that Takkarist McKinley (groin) has been deemed inactive, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com reports.
McKinley had been a force in the early going with seven QB hits and a sack, meaning Bailey may have to rise to the occasion if Atlanta is to generate an equivalent pass rush. Bailey played on fewer than 40 percent of the defensive snaps Weeks 1 and 2, but Sunday he'll be called on for a more crucial role against a Chicago offensive line that has surrendered 2.5 sacks per game in 2020.
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Falcons' Kaleb McGary: Can't go Sunday
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McGary (knee-MCL) is inactive for Sunday's matchup against Chicago.
The 2019 first-round pick seemed like a long shot to play all week, though a limited practice session Friday provided a glimmer of hope. Without McGary for Week 3, 24-year-old Matt Gono will log his first career start at right tackle.
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Falcons' Dante Fowler: Good to go Sunday
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Fowler (ankle) is active for Sunday's game versus the Bears.
Fowler was limited in practice all week and is healthy enough to play Sunday. The 2015 first-round pick has posted a half sack in each of the first two games, and he'll set his sights on Mitchell Trubisky, who has been dropped five times thus far.
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Falcons' Foyesade Oluokun: Out against Bears
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Oluokun (hamstring) has been listed among Atlanta's inactive players for Sunday's showdown with the Bears.
The 25-year-old linebacker made an incredible impact in the early going against Dallas last week, forcing three fumbles on 18 defensive snaps. Oluokun was forced to exit the game due to cramping, but limited practice sessions Thursday and Friday provided optimism that he may be able to play against Chicago. With this update on his status, the Falcons are left thin at linebacker, and will now have to rely on fourth-round rookie Mykal Walker in a more integral role.
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Falcons' Takkarist McKinley: Unable to play Sunday
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McKinley (groin) is inactive for Sunday's game versus the Bears.
McKinley had a strong start to the season, posting seven tackles (four solo), a sack and a pass breakup through two contests. When he exited early in Week 2, both Allen Bailey and Steven Means logged hefty workloads and are expected to operate in similar roles Sunday.
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Falcons' Julio Jones: Sidelined Week 3
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Jones (hamstring) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Bears.
Though Jones failed to practice all week, the Falcons still viewed him as a game-day decision heading into Sunday. The star wideout's strained hamstring ultimately proved too limiting in his pregame workout for him to give it a go, depriving the 0-2 Falcons of one of their top playmakers on the outside. Either Christian Blake or Olamide Zaccheaus will likely replace Jones in three-wide sets, but expect the trio of Calvin Ridley, Russell Gage and Hayden Hurst to dominate the targets in the passing game.
Jones (hamstring) is expected to be a game-time decision for Sunday's game against the Bears, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Coach Dan Quinn said as much prior to practice Friday morning, and it appears little has changed for Jones' outlook heading into Sunday. The 31-year-old is officially listed as questionable after not practicing this week, and his status for the 1 p.m. ET kickoff remains up in the air. Calvin Ridley, Russell Gage and TE Hayden Hurst likely would be the major beneficiaries in the passing game should Jones be unable to suit up.
