Falcons get best possible news on rising defensive star

Lost in the many storylines — both positive and negative — surrounding the Falcons as the season comes to an end is the unbelievable campaign Brandon Dorlus has put together in year two. He was a guy that many dubbed the steal of the draft when he was selected in the fourth round of the 2024 draft, only to essentially sit out as a rookie, appearing in just two games and recording only three tackles.

But whether it was simply a matter of getting his feet under him, the defensive coordinator change to Jeff Ulbrich, or a little bit of both, Dorlus has become one of the better sack artists from the interior of the defensive line, recording 8.5 sacks in just 15 games this season. He had a real chance to join the double-digit sack club this Sunday, but unfortunately an injury in Atlanta’s Week 17 victory over the Rams — a game in which Dorlus recorded a sack — will cost him the rest of the season.

It wasn’t a pretty picture as the former Oregon Duck was carted off the field with what was initially reported as a knee injury; however, Raheem Morris delivered some fantastic news this week, revealing Dorlus did not suffer any ligament damage and that it was actually a hamstring issue.