The Atlanta Falcons got tough Jeff Okudah and Cordarrelle Patterson injury updates ahead of their Week 1 matchup with the Carolina Panthers. The cornerback, Okudah, is definitely out, and wider receiver/running back Patterson sounds like it will be a tight game-day decision.
“Falcons have ruled out CB Jeff Okudah (foot) for Sunday vs. Panthers. Playmaker/JOKER Cordarrelle Patterson (thigh) is questionable. Possible final decision comes after pregame workouts,” the NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe tweeted Friday afternoon.
Okudah, who the Falcons traded for this offseason from the Detroit Lions, hurt his ankle in early August and is now missing his Atlanta debut. This Jeff Okudah injury update is particularly troubling for the team, as the 2020 No. 3 overall pick only played seven games in his first two seasons due to injuries.
The Cordarrelle Patterson injury update is less worrisome, especially since the team hasn’t ruled him out yet for the Falcons’ Week 1 tilt with the division-rival Panthers. However, if the hybrid skill position player can’t go, that absence might hurt more than Okudah’s absence. Patterson has just under 2,000 yards from scrimmage in his first two seasons with the team, and he is a big part of Arthur Smith’s offense.
If Patterson can’t go, it may make the Falcons O less multiple, but the unit still has a ton of talent around second-year starting quarterback Desmond Ridder. Tight end Kyle Pitts, wide receiver Drake London, and the running backs — rookie first-round pick Bijan Robinson and 2022 1,000-yard rusher Tyler Allgeier —should all be healthy and ready to go on Sunday.
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