The Atlanta Falcons are unsure of whether or not Jake Matthews' ironman streak will reach a 200th game this weekend. After suffering a groin injury in the Week 4 win over the Saints, Matthews never returned, which meant that his status for the Week 5 clash against the Ravens was in real jeopardy.
Right now, he's sitting at 199 consecutive starts because he hasn't missed a start since Week 2 of his rookie season, which came all the way back in 2014. That streak is impressive in itself, so given he played the final 13 games of last season on a high-ankle sprain, it's safe to say he'll play on Sunday.
According to ESPN's Marc Raimondi, Matthews would be just the fifth offensive lineman in NFL history to start 200 consecutive games or more. However Kevin Stefanski hasn't committed to his availability for Week 5 given the streak, as he said he'll use "the next 50 hours or so" to evaluate him.
Of course the Falcons want their starting left tackle out there against a stout Baltimore defense, but Stefanski's approach with injuries is to play it safe, especially with a 34-year-old lineman. And he expressed confidence in Michael Jerrell to step if Matthews is unable to go earlier this week.
During Wednesday's practice, Jake Matthews did not participate, before being upgraded to limited participation on Thursday and again upgraded to full participation on Friday. However, he was not taken off the final injury report, as he's still questionable for the Week 5 matchup, so it's no guarantee he gets to make history, but the full practice should suggest he's in good shape to get to 200.
If Jake Matthews plays for the Falcons in Week 5, he'll be at an advantage
And the good news is that while he's probably on the more favorable side of questionable, the Ravens' pass-rush will be without the one player that the potential to give him a long night, as star edge rusher Trey Hendrickson was ruled out due to a finger injury after not practicing all week.
While the Ravens ruling out Lamar Jackson is obviously the bigger development, Hendrickson will miss his second straight game due to the injury--which is good news for the Dirty Birds. They've been good in pass protection all season, and ensuring Matthews won't have to face him is good news.
The goal is to keep Michael Penix Jr. upright, and a four-time Pro Bowler who combined for 42 sacks between 2023 and 2025 will give this entire offensive line a long night. And comparatively speaking, second-year pass-rusher Mike Green, who will start in his place, is significantly less threatening.
Hendrickson ranks eighth among all edge rushers in pass-rush win rate with 15 wins, and while he has just 14 pressures, that would still tie Samson Ebukam for the most on the Falcons. And given Matthews has started to become a liability in pass protection, this is not a winning matchup.
While the former Pro Bowler has evidently lost a step from his prime years, he's still the heart of this Falcons' offensive line, so having him out there without Trey Hendrickson should help this offense (and run game) keep rolling to a third straight win.
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