Falcons' Koo Wins NFL Weekly Award

In Sunday's 29-10 win over the Indianapolis Colts, Koo made all five of his field goals, with the longest coming from 47 yards out, and both PATs. His five field goals on the day tie a career-high in a single game.

This is the second time Koo has won the award this season. He previously won it in Week 7 after making three field goals, including a 51-yard game-winner as time expired, against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

In 15 games this season, Koo has made 30 of 33 field goals and 23 of 24 extra points.

DEC 19 FALCONS RELEASE ROOKIE The Atlanta Falcons announced on Tuesday that they have released rookie defensive lineman Travis Bell after just two games with the club. A day later, Bell was picked up by the Cincinnati Bengals off waivers.

Bell was a seventh-round pick by the Chicago Bears in April's draft and ended up on their practice squad after roster cutdown day. The Falcons then signed him to their active roster on Oct. 31, and he appeared in the team's last two games while recording a tackle in each. 

DEC 15 HURST OUT FOR SEASON Despite the news about Hayden Hurst's post-traumatic amnesia and working towards returning, the former Atlanta Falcons tight end is being shut down for the season.

According to The Athletic's Joe Person, the Carolina Panthers are placing Hurst on injured reserve, ending his 2023 season.

The Falcons and Panthers are set to kick off Sunday at 1 p.m. ET inside Bank of America Stadium.

DEC 13 BATES LEADING PRO BOWL VOTES Atlanta Falcons defensive back Jessie Bates III could be well on his way to his first Pro Bowl.

Bates is leading all NFC safeties in Pro Bowl voting, according to the NFL.

Bates has recorded 101 tackles, five interceptions and a touchdown in his first season with the Falcons.

DEC 10 RIDDER GO-AHEAD TD After trailing by two scores in the fourth quarter, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder ran the ball in from six yards out to take the lead against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Ridder then found receiver Drake London for the 2-point conversion to take a 25-22 lead with 3:23 to go in the game.

DEC 7 HURST GIVES RETURN UPDATE Despite the news about Hayden Hurst's post-traumatic amnesia, the former Atlanta Falcons tight end is working towards returning to action this week.

The Falcons play the Carolina Panthers in Week 15 at Bank of America Stadium.

DEC 6 PRAYERS FOR HURST Current Carolina Panthers tight end Hayden Hurst has been diagnosed with post-traumatic amnesia following a big hit he took in their Week 10 loss to the Chicago Bears, per a tweet from his father, Jerry Hurst. 

"[Hurst] has been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Amnesia by an independent neurologist as a result of the hit he took in Chicago November 9," Jerry Hurst wrote in a tweet on Wednesday. "Slow recovery, don’t know when he’ll be back. Prayers appreciated!"

After spending the first two years of his career with the Baltimore Ravens, the former 2018 first-round pick out of South Carolina was traded to the Falcons ahead of the 2020 season. From there, Hurst would total 792 yards and nine touchdowns during two seasons in Atlanta before spending last year with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Hurst was in the midst of his fifth year in the league, where he had totaled 184 yards and a touchdown on 18 receptions in nine games for the Panthers.

DEC 5 JETS CUT BOYLE AFTER FALCONS START Tim Boyle is looking for a new job after his second start of the season against the Atlanta Falcons.

According to NFL insider Josina Anderson, the New York Jets are cutting Boyle after he was benched in Sunday's loss against the Falcons.

Boyle completed 14 of 25 passes for 148 yards and an interception against the Falcons.

DEC 3 TERRELL LEAVES WITH INJURY Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the New York Jets after exiting with a head injury.

Terrell suffered the injury after a helmet-to-helmet hit on Jets running back Breece Hall on New York's first offensive drive in the first quarter.

He remained down on the field for multiple minutes before walking off under his own power and entering the blue tent. He later walked to the locker room.

In Terrell's absence, fourth-round rookie cornerback Clark Phillips III has taken the field.

DEC 1 KOO IN THE RECORD BOOKS Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo is now atop the all-time leaderboard for field goal percentage.

Koo surpassed Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker, who dipped just below 90 percent after missing a field goal in Week 12 against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Koo is at 90 percent even and looks to improve that mark Sunday when the Falcons visit the New York Jets. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET.

NOV 30 DEION HONORED BY SI Former Atlanta Falcons legend Deion Sanders has had quite the year. 

His first season as the head coach of the University of Colorado Boulder's football team has been highlighted with Sports Illustrated's Sportsperson of the Year Award.

While the Colorado Buffaloes finished the season with a 4-8 record, Sanders gave the program new life.

The former Falcons cornerback will be featured on the Dec. 15 print edition of SI, flanked by numerous notable members of the Colorado athletic community.

NOV 28 DWIGHT FREENEY NAMED HOF SEMIFINALIST A former Atlanta Falcons defensive end could soon be making his way to the Hall of Fame.

Dwight Freeney, who played 15 games during the team's 2016 season, was named as one of 25 modern-era semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Freeney recorded a sack for the Falcons in Super Bowl LI, but is most known for his 11-year tenure with the Indianapolis Colts from 2002-12, where he made seven Pro Bowl appearances.

NOV 27 PANTHERS FIRE HEAD COACH After only 11 games, Frank Reich's tenure as the Carolina Panthers head coach has come to an end. 

NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported that the Panthers have fired Reich after their 17-10 loss to the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. In Reich's 11 games as head coach, Carolina has gone 1-10. The Panthers X account later announced the news of Reich's firing.

To make matters worse, Carolina gave up its first-round pick this season to trade up to take Bryce Young with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. The Panthers would currently have the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, but that pick belongs to the Chicago Bears after trading up to take Young.

Chris Tabor is taking over as the interim head coach for Carolina. The Atlanta Falcons face the Panthers for the second time this season on Dec. 17 at Bank of America Stadium.

NOV 26 JESSIE BATES PICK SIX The Atlanta Falcons have struggled on offense to begin their game against the New Orleans Saints, but Jessie Bates III and the defense has their back.

With the Saints looking to add to their 3-0 lead, Bates picked off Derek Carr and took the ball back to the end zone for a touchdown to give the Falcons a lead.

The Falcons lead 7-3 towards the end of the first quarter.

NOV 25 JETS STARTING BOYLE VS. FALCONS The New York Jets lost their Week 12 contest to the Miami Dolphins, and now they begin preparation for the team's next game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Dec. 3.

However, they already know who will start under center on Sunday. Tim Boyle, who saw his first Jets start on Friday, will start once again next week, replacing the benched Zach Wilson.

Boyle completed 27 of 38 passes for 179 yards and a touchdown in Friday's loss against the Dolphins.

NOV 23 SAINTS QB CARR EXPECTED TO PLAY VS. FALCONS The New Orleans Saints received positive injury news Thursday as quarterback Derek Carr is no longer on the injury report and has evidently cleared concussion protocol.

As such, Carr is "likely" to play Sunday vs. the Atlanta Falcons, according to ESPN.

Elsewhere on New Orleans' injury report, cornerback Marshon Lattimore (ankle) did not participate in practice Wednesday and Thursday, nor did running back Kendre Miller (ankle).

Offensive lineman James Hurst (illness) was a full participant Thursday after missing Wednesday. Offensive tackle Ryan Ramczyk (knee) was absent Wednesday and limited Thursday. Defensive end Isaiah Foskey (quadricep) was limited both days.

The Falcons and Saints will kickoff at 1 p.m. EST Sunday inside Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium with first place in the NFC South up for grabs.

NOV 22 FALCONS RELEASE BYRD The Atlanta Falcons announced Wednesday they've released receiver Damiere Byrd from their practice squad.

Byrd, 30, spent the 2022 season with the Falcons, earning four starts across 14 appearances and making 13 receptions for 268 yards and two touchdowns.

After being released by the Carolina Panthers before the start of the season, Byrd remained a free agent for nearly two months. The Falcons signed him Oct. 19.

Byrd made one appearance in his second stint in Atlanta, seeing two targets but failing to record a catch in Week 9 against the Minnesota Vikings.

The Falcons have not yet announced a corresponding move, but it's likely they'll add a kicker with Younghoe Koo (back) sitting out Wednesday's practice.

NOV 21 BATTLE FOR THE SOUTH Coming off their bye week, the Atlanta Falcons are in a position to reclaim the top spot in the race for the NFC South. Despite currently riding a three-game losing streak and having lost six of their past eight, a win on Sunday versus the New Orleans Saints would push them atop the division. 

The Falcons currently sit in second behind only the Saints after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 27-14 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, which has them with a 4-6 record like Atlanta. However, thanks to the Falcons' Week 6 win, the Buccaneers sit in third-place. 

Kickoff between the Falcons is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

NOV 12 BIJAN SCORES TD After much conversation about Bijan Robinson and his red zone usage, the rookie has run for a five-yard touchdown in the second quarter against the Arizona Cardinals.

The Falcons lead 14-6 midway through the second quarter.

NOV 7 FALCONS SWAP LINEBACKERS The Atlanta Falcons have signed linebacker Andre Smith Jr. and waived linebacker Tae Davis, per release.

Smith Jr. has spent much of this season on Atlanta's practice squad but has seen action in three games, playing 51 total snaps on special teams and adding three additional defensive snaps. The six-year veteran has recorded one tackle this season.

Davis has played in all but one game, Week 8 against the Tennessee Titans when he was out with a concussion. He's played 83 percent of Atlanta's special teams snaps but been on the field for just one defensive snap.

The Falcons carry only three inside linebackers on their roster, with Kaden Elliss and Nate Landman serving as the starters.

Now, Smith Jr. replaces Davis as their lead backup and special teams ace, starting Sunday at 4:05 p.m. EST against the Arizona Cardinals.

NOV 6 CARDINALS COULD START MURRAY VS. FALCONS Arizona Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon announced Monday that Kyler Murray, who's missed the entire season recovering from a torn ACL last year, will start at quarterback Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons "if all goes well" in practice.

Murray will take reps with Arizona's starters in practice, Gannon said, and if he's physically able to play, he will.

The Cardinals started fifth-round rookie Clayton Tune at quarterback in this past Sunday's 27-0 loss to the Cleveland Browns. Josh Dobbs, who beat the Falcons as the Minnesota Vikings' signal caller, held the starting spot in Arizona for the first eight weeks.

With Murray back in the mix, life gets more difficult for Atlanta - and the stakes are only growing greater as Sunday's 4:05 p.m. EST kick nears.

NOV 1 FALCONS INJURY REPORT As the Falcons are preparing for Sunday's game versus the Minnesota Vikings, they will do so with a healthy Desmond Ridder, who, after exiting the 28-23 loss to the Tennessee Titans due to entering the concussion protocol, has since been cleared and was a full participate on Wednesday.

Despite Ridder clearing concussion protocol, coach Arthur Smith announced earlier Wednesday that Taylor Heinicke will be the new starter at quarterback. 

Additionally, receiver Drake London and safety DeMarcco Hellams both missed practice on Wednesday due to injuries, while veteran defensive linemen David Onyemata and Calais Campbell were given the day off.

Full Participation

- QB Desmond Ridder (concussion)

- LB Tae Davis (concussion)

Limited Participation

- FB Keith Smith (concussion) 

-CB Mike Hughes (shoulder)

Did Not Participate 

- WR Drake London (groin)

- S DeMarcco Hellams (hamstring)

- DT David Onyemata (rest)

- DT Calais Campbell (rest)

NOV 1 FALCONS PUT LACALE LONDON ON INJURED RESERVE The Atlanta Falcons have placed defensive tackle LaCale London on injured reserve, coach Arthur Smith announced at Wednesday's press conference.

London prematurely departed last Sunday's 28-23 loss to the Tennessee Titans with a knee injury. His loss comes two days after the Falcons put fellow defensive tackle Grady Jarrett on injured reserve with a torn ACL.

Atlanta claimed defensive tackle Travis Bell off the Chicago Bears' practice squad Tuesday to help restore the sudden lack of interior depth.