NW Atlanta News

BALTIMORE — The Atlanta Falcons fielded 53 players Saturday for their second preseason game, a 13-12 loss to the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. None were starters, aside from special teams.

The Falcons' non-dressed list was longer against the Ravens than it was against the Miami Dolphins last week. Twenty-six players didn't play in Miami; thirty-seven were out of uniform in Baltimore.

This isn't surprising, considering the Falcons sustained key injuries last week in Miami. Outside linebacker Bralen Trice, defensive back Harrison Hand, and wide receiver Rondale Moore were placed on the reserve/injured list due to knee injuries. Safety DeMarcco Hellams remains on the 90-man roster but is out for a "significant" period due to an ankle injury, per head coach Raheem Morris.

The coaching staff likely aimed to avoid further losses by giving ample playing time to those fighting for a future with the organization.

Players who did not dress included quarterbacks Kirk Cousins and Michael Penix Jr., wide receivers Darnell Mooney, Drake London, KhaDarel Hodge and Ray-Ray McCloud III, running backs Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier, tight ends Kyle Pitts, Ross Dwelley and Charlie Woerner, offensive linemen Chris Lindstrom, Matthew Bergeron, Drew Dalman, Jake Matthews and Kaleb McGary; defensive linemen David Onyemata, Kentavius Street, Ta'Quon Graham, Zach Harrison, Grady Jarrett and Eddie Goldman; outside linebackers Lorenzo Carter, Matthew Judon and Arnold Ebiketie; inside linebackers Troy Andersen, Nate Landman and Kaden Elliss; cornerbacks Dee Alford, Mike Hughes, Clark Phillips III, A.J. Terrell and Antonio Hamilton Sr.; safeties Jessie Bates III , Richie Grant , Dane Cruikshank ,and Hellams.

Defensively starting were Zion Logue , Brandon Dorlus , LaCale London ; outside linebackers James Smith-Williams , Demone Harris ; inside linebacker JD Bertrand , Milo Eifler ; cornerbacks Anthony Johnson , Natrone Brooks ; safeties Michah Abernathy , Lukas Denis .

Offensively starting were Julién Davenport , Jovaughn Gwyn , Ryan Neuzil , Kyle Hinton , Andrew Stueber ; tight end John FitzPatrick ; running back Carlos Washington Jr.; wide receivers Casey Washington , Dylan Drummond ; quarterback Taylor Heinicke .

During the first half of play against Baltimore's offense totaled 150 yards – 119 passing and 31 rushing. Quarterback Josh Johnson completed all 11 pass attempts for 120 yards while being sacked once by rookie Ruke Orhorhoro . Backup Devin Leary went one-of-three passes completing only eleven-yard throw attempt averaging just under two-yards-per-carry on eighteen attempts with longest ground burst reaching eight-yards

Emory Jones third-string quarterback threw fifty-six-yard touchdown pass received Dayton Wade . Cornerback Anthony Johnson covered but fooled double move executed Wade . Tommy Togiai Bradlee Anae both recorded half-sack each totaling six tackles-for-loss overall no pass breakups highlighting discrepancy between front-back ends Atlanta’s defense

Offensively inactive Penix notable given many sitting-out Friday Falcons brass clear repeatedly Cousins starter Penix backup avoiding risk playing Penix keeping him harm's way regardless . In debut took thirty-four percent offensive snaps versus Dolphins completing nine sixteen passes hundred-four-yards pulled halftime

Second preseason game Heinicke fielding starting offense pulled midway third-quarter allowing John Paddock opportunity game action finishing eight completions sixteen attempts hundred-fourteen-yards Paddock nine seventeen seventy-eight-yards neither touchdowns interceptions kept clean Saturday Atlanta’s offensive line allowing zero sacks

Wide receiver Chris Blair top producer catching four five targets ninety-one-yards including thirty-two yarder second quarter Wide receiver Casey Washington team-high six targets catching none sole touchdown via three-yard run rookie Jase McClellan failing short two-point conversion following

Kicker Younghoe Koo missed three field goals all flying left first miss forty yards first quarter second forty-five second quarter third forty-nine fourth quarter nailed fifty-four yarder putting first points board made twenty-five yarder shortly after halftime pre-season regular-season Koo three games missing more one field-goal attempt (2017 & twice during2023) seventy-eight career games never missing three single-game deserves credit tackle opening kickoff booting ball sixty-one yards from Atlanta thirty-five hustling downfield stopping returner Chris Collier Baltimore thirty-four involved action not merely chasing