The Atlanta Falcons (2-2) will face off against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-2) in Week 5 with first place in the NFC South on the line.
Even though both teams have the same record, they appear to be moving in opposite directions. The Falcons are trending up after winning back-to-back games, while the Buccaneers have lost two straight following their 2-0 start.
On Thursday, Atlanta held Kyle Pitts out of practice for the second straight day. Pitts, who’s battling a hamstring injury, could be in danger of missing Sunday’s game. Meanwhile, Falcons punter Bradley Pinion returned to practice Thursday.
Check out our updated injury report along with the day’s top stories below.
Falcons Thursday injury report
| Player | Injury | Wed | Thu | Fri | Status |
| Kyle Pitts | Hamstring | DNP | DNP | ||
| Bradley Pinion | Personal | DNP | — |
Pees wants to see Oliver return to full speed
Falcons DC Dean Pees said he needs to see Isaiah Oliver at full speed before he knows what type of role he'll have when if/when he's activated off IR.
Last year, he was a guy he believed could do everything. Then the injury. Now? Still TBD.
— Michael Rothstein (@mikerothstein) October 6, 2022
Oliver has a 21-day practice window in which he can be activated by the Falcons. Defensive coordinator Dean Pees said he wants to see Oliver play at full speed before determining what the former second-round pick’s role will be this season, per ESPN’s Michael Rothstein.
Falcons sign DL Jaleel Johnson to practice squad
OFFICIAL: Falcons have signed Jaleel Johnson to the PS.
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) October 5, 2022
The Falcons added former Vikings and Texans defensive lineman Jaleel Johnson to their practice squad on Wednesday. Johnson started 16 games for Minnesota in 2020, and now replaces Khyiris Tonga, who was signed by the Vikings on Tuesday.
WATCH: NFL Network compares Falcons to last year's Bengals
Could the @AtlantaFalcons be this year's Bengals?@PSchrags: "I love this team!"#DirtyBirds pic.twitter.com/ci6eGURXm3
— Good Morning Football (@gmfb) October 4, 2022
“The Falcons are 2-2, they’re atop the NFC South right now, right there with the Buccaneers,” said NFL Network’s Peter Schrager. “I kinda like the vibe and Arthur Smith is a little salty. Falcons might be the team nobody talked about – the Bengals last year — who do a little thing in a wide open NFC.”
Rookie RB Tyler Allgeier to start in Week 5
Falcons rookie Tyler Allgeier will replace Cordarrelle Patterson as the team’s starting running back in Week 5. https://t.co/j3O6K0DRz4
— The Falcons Wire (@TheFalconsWire) October 5, 2022
Rookie running back Tyler Allgeier rushed for a career-high 84 yards and added 20 receiving yards during the Falcons’ Week 4 win. With Cordarrelle Patterson on the injured reserve list, Allgeier is officially No. 1 on the depth chart heading into the team’s Week 5 matchup against the Buccaneers.
WATCH: NFL Network discusses Falcons' RB room
Our RB room is pretty cool 🤷
Sunday 1:00 PM || 📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/E31wrmqQOI
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) October 6, 2022
WATCH: Arthur Smith mic'd up for Week 4 win
Coach Smith had an idea and ran with it… literally 😏 pic.twitter.com/1cESqUB4K2
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) October 5, 2022
WATCH:: Falcons Week 4 video recap
On the Rise: Battle of the Run Game
Falcons are victorious over the Browns in Week 4. pic.twitter.com/WEyVbpewHv
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) October 5, 2022
Falcons sign RB Caleb Huntley to practice squad
Falcons sign RB Caleb Huntley to 53-man roster https://t.co/gMQ3xNZzJG
— The Falcons Wire (@TheFalconsWire) October 3, 2022
Huntley rushed for 56 yards on 10 carries in just his second NFL game. The Falcons signed him to the 53-man roster after placing RB Cordarrelle Patterson on injured reserve Monday.
Nike releases Falcons edition of Air Pegasus 39 sneaker
These Limited Edition Atlanta Falcons Air Pegasus 39 sneakers are the perfect way to rep your Falcons. https://t.co/4sYnwTuaNB
— The Falcons Wire (@TheFalconsWire) October 5, 2022
Falcons work out LB Will Compton
The Atlanta Falcons worked out veteran LB Will Compton, according to ESPN’s Field Yates. https://t.co/BQhraezi6J
— The Falcons Wire (@TheFalconsWire) October 4, 2022
Although a deal didn’t come to fruition, the Falcons worked out veteran linebacker Will Compton on Tuesday. According to ESPN’s Field Yates, the Falcons could sign Compton down the line for a potential playoff push.
PFF Grades: Chris Lindstrom is NFL's top-rated guard
Falcons RG Chris Lindstrom is PFF’s highest-rated guard after the first four weeks of the season. https://t.co/KLNrtwztxF
— The Falcons Wire (@TheFalconsWire) October 4, 2022
According to Pro Football Focus, Lindstrom is the NFL’s highest-rated guard with an ELITE grade of 91.3. Lindstrom is also the highest-graded player on the Falcons after four games. Check out the PFF grades for Atlanta’s entire starting lineup HERE.
Falcons off to best start since 2017
The Atlanta Falcons are off to their best start since the 2017 season. https://t.co/ijFJ1Rz82A
— The Falcons Wire (@TheFalconsWire) October 4, 2022
