The Atlanta Falcons' defense suffered a significant loss when starting linebacker Troy Andersen was placed on injured reserve Tuesday with potentially season-ending pectoral surgery looming - but there's considerable belief that his replacement, Nate Landman, can hold down the fort.
Landman's path to the starting role has been anything but simple.
Despite earning all-conference honors four times in five seasons at the University of Colorado, Landman went undrafted in Apr. 2022, later signing with the Falcons.
A strong summer vaulted Landman onto Atlanta's 53-man roster out of camp, but he was waived in December after playing in only seven games and making just one tackle. Days later, Landman returned to the Falcons' practice squad, where he stayed for the rest of the season.
Entering this offseason on the outside looking in at the roster bubble, Landman put together a stellar summer and established himself as Atlanta's No. 3 linebacker, leaving no doubt about his spot on the team.
The 24-year-old Landman proved the Falcons made the right decision when Andersen missed Week 2 due to a concussion; in a 25-24 victory over the Green Bay Packers, Landman made four tackles, one for a loss.
Better yet, he played so well that defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen and assistant head coach/defense Jerry Gray pondered implementing three-linebacker packages just to get him on the field more often.
And so, while Andersen's absence shouldn't be discounted, the Falcons think Landman can be more than serviceable as a starter in the middle of the defense.
“Nate’s a guy we have a lot of confidence in," Smith said. "If we didn’t have confidence in somebody, we wouldn’t put them out there. I have a ton of confidence in Nate Landman. Played pretty well two weeks ago. He’ll play well.”
Nielsen joked with Landman that Atlanta's loss to the Detroit Lions last Sunday was almost like a bye week for the second-year linebacker, as he played only seven defensive snaps, primarily after Andersen departed late in the fourth quarter, along with 18 snaps on special teams.
Apart from his start against Green Bay, Landman has seen just 30 total defensive snaps across his 10-game professional career ... but the Falcons have little concern about his ability.
Even Nielsen, who came over from the New Orleans Saints in late January and didn't meet Landman until later this spring, has seen enough, from OTAs, training camp, the preseason and beyond, to feel optimistic in what's to come.
"Nate’s great," Nielsen said. "He’s ready to go. He’s very confident, he’s got great look in his eye, he’s confident in that he’s played. He got a lot of reps at that position so it’s not like he’s a new player coming in having to go. So, there’s a lot of time on task there."
Speaking of time on task - that's largely how the Falcons unearthed Landman when many others didn't.
Smith was quick to praise Atlanta's roster building process, noting the staff doesn't relax or skip steps regardless of how well the player acquisition period is going.
The Falcons' 2022 draft class netted several impact players, including rookie record-setters Drake London and Tyler Allgeier, the aforementioned Andersen and ascending pass rusher Arnold Ebiketie.
Upon reaching the post-draft stage, Smith, general manager Terry Fontenot and the rest of Atlanta's player personnel department, the focus turns to schematic fit and the ability to provide early help on special teams. Landman checked both boxes.
During his rookie season, Landman drew praise from Gray for his instincts and spatial awareness. The statement closed with, "we like him - we like him a lot."
Why?
Simple - the Falcons believe Landman is the total package.
“He’s an instinctive football player, he’s heavy-handed, he’s smart," Smith said. "All of the things you look for.”
The 6-3, 235-pound Landman has the college production, traits and professional flashes to inspire confidence in those around him, but climbing to - and shining in - a bigger role takes self-belief.
And no matter the time or environment, Landman's proven to have that in spades.
“The biggest thing with him is you can just feel his confidence, his energy, his excitement,” Nielsen said. “Now, he’s ready to go and we’ll continue to prepare for him. But it’s pretty cool to see him out there and kind of next-man-up mentality.”
This isn't the atmosphere in which Landman wanted to get his big opportunity. He and Andersen came in together; they've learned and evolved alongside one another.
Smith stated Wednesday that Andersen, who's third on the Falcons in tackles with 18, was playing at a really high level before his injury. There's plenty of confidence the former second-round pick will still make an impact in Atlanta at some point in future seasons.
But for now, it's Landman's time - and the Falcons are ready to roll full steam ahead behind their new man in the middle, starting this Sunday when Atlanta takes on the Jacksonville Jaguars in London at 9:30 a.m. EST.
“I really feel for Troy,” Nielsen said. “Troy’s put in a lot of work, but Troy will come back. I’m very confident that he’ll come back better than he was before.
“But now, Nate will pick up and we’ll keep this thing going.”
More must-reads: