The Falcons placed Abernathy on injured reserve Tuesday due to a knee injury, Terrin Waack of the team's official site reports. Abernathy suffered a knee injury on punt coverage in the first quarter of Sunday's game against the Panthers. He will be forced to miss at least the next four regular-season games, though head coach Raheem Morris said Monday that he expects Abernathy will miss "a significant amount of time," per Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site. Abernathy has contributed solely on special teams this year and has registered three tackles across six regular-season games.
Head coach Raheem Morris told reporters Monday that Abernathy (knee) will likely miss "a significant amount of time," Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports. Abernathy played just three special-teams snaps and didn't record a stat before exiting Sunday's win with a knee injury. Morris' comments Monday indicate that Abernathy's injury is significant, so don't be surprised if the Falcons' top special-teams ace is placed on injured reserve in the near future.
Abernathy (knee) has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's game against the Panthers, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports. Abernathy hasn't played a snap on defense yet this season, so his absence will only impact the Falcons' special teams unit unless they suffer further injuries in their secondary.
Abernathy is expected to make the Falcons' initial 53-man roster, Josh Kendall of The Athletic reports. Abernathy, a 2022 UDFA, made 12 appearances for the Falcons in 2023, totaling 23 defensive snaps and 273 special-team snaps. While Abernathy's main role is expected to be on special teams, DeMarcco Hellams' long-term ankle injury may open up more secondary snaps early in 2024. Abernathy recorded four tackles (three solo) during Atlanta's preseason opener.