The Atlanta Falcons have their starting left guard back just in time for Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints. Elijah Wilkinson was activated from the injured reserve list on Saturday, giving the team fully healthy offensive line for the first time in weeks.
Wilkinson last played during the team’s Week 8 win over the Carolina Panthers. There will be a different quarterback lining up behind Wilkinson, however, with Falcons rookie Desmond Ridder set to make his first NFL start in Week 15.
Ridder was named the starter by head coach Arthur Smith on Monday. The rookie will replace a struggling Marcus Mariota, who was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury after being benched.
Wilkinson is essentially taking Mariota’s spot on Atlanta’s 53-man roster. The Falcons are 4.5-point underdogs entering Sunday’s game in New Orleans.
