Atlanta Falcons news and notes for Thursday before season openers

We are just under three days from the kickoff of the Atlanta Falcons 2021 season!

There is reason for both optimism and skepticism, the team must answer numerous questions in the first couple of games.

Luckily for the Falcons, their first opponent is in a similar situation as they are. They are caught between a rebuild and a reload, they have the talent to win, and they both enter the season with new coaches.

However, proceeding week one it gets much more difficult as they must travel to Tampa Bay to take on the reigning champions. It will be a gut check but in the event they pull off an upset, it would be special.

Atlanta Falcons restructure Deion Jones contract.

Starting off, the Atlanta Falcons have restructured Deion Jones’s contract. This resulted in clearing up just under three million dollars in cap space.

Do not get too excited, as this is likely just a maintenance move for Atlanta and likely does not signal toward the signing of any player.

Deion Jones figures to be heavily involved in what Dean Pees wants to do. He should be given the opportunity to blitz numerous times a game and that could result in a high sack total for Debo. He could also end up breaking an NFL record this season.

One Falcon was missing from practice on Thursday.

Grady Jarrett was missing for Atlanta’s practice, but do not be alarmed, it was for a personal matter. Grady is bound to play on Sunday and the defense needs him more than anybody.

The other player on the injury list was Brandon Copeland, but it does not sound too serious. He was limited with a hamstring for the second day in a row. However, it seems like he is also on track to play on Sunday.

He is a veteran player who the Falcons need in a thin rotation.

The Falcons make a couple of roster moves.

Prior to Sunday’s game, Atlanta has had to readjust the roster.

Starting with Kendall Sheffield being placed on the injured reserve. This is to the surprise of no one, Sheffield has been dealing with a reported injury for a while now. He was not a lock to make the roster but losing him does not help an already weak secondary.

Of course, after a player is placed on the injured reserve, it presents an opportunity for another player to be promoted and that player was Parker Hesse.

This leaves the team with four tight ends (five if you count Keith Smith, as the team lists him) and six cornerbacks. 

It is likely that Hesse will end up inactive on game day, but we will have to wait and see for sure.

Come to the Falcons kickoff party on Friday.

On Friday, September 10th from seven to nine p.m., the Atlanta Falcons will be holding a kickoff party. 

Many special guests will be in attendance, including Arthur Smith, Terry Fontenot, Younghoe Koo, Mike Davis, and Michael Vick, among others.

It is exciting to see the season so close, and this will hopefully be a season full of success.