Getty Quarterback Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons celebrates with Jake Matthews #70 and Kaleb McGary #76.
The Atlanta Falcons had some key players return to practice heading into Week 7, including left guard Josh Andrews.
Andrews was set to start at left guard for the Falcons this season but instead, a broken hand sent him to the injured reserve list before Week 1 kicked off.
We have placed Kaleb McGary on the reserve/COVID-19 list and activated Josh Andrews from IR.
Andrews returned to practice at the end of September but was not activated for any of the games prior to Week 7.
And unfortunately, the main reason Andrews was moved to the 53-man roster was starting right tackle Kaleb McGary was added to the COVID-19/reserve list.
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What About Jalen Mayfield?
The left guard position has been the biggest question mark in Atlanta for quite some time.
The Falcons originally had re-signed Matt Gono for the starting left guard position but a next injury has kept him sidelined since the offseason. Next in line for the job was Andrews. But once he broke his hand, the Falcons had to “settle” for rookie guard Jalen Mayfield.
Mayfield may his NFL debut against a stingy Philadelphia Eagles defense which didn’t go over too well after he allowed two of the three sacks on Matt Ryan. Since then, however, he’s continued to improve and really held his own in the Falcons’ win over the New York Giants and against the New York Jets in London.
But with Andrews close to returning, what will happen to the Falcons’ 2021 fourth-round pick? After all, Andrews has a lot more experience under his belt.
The Oregon State product began his NFL career after signing with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2014 and spent three seasons in Philly bouncing back and forth from the practice squad to the 53-man roster.
Following his stint with the Eagles, Andrews spent time with the Minnesota Vikings in 2018. He returned to Philly once again and had a short stint with the Indianapolis Colts’ practice squad before landing with the Jets in 2020.
In five seasons, Andrews has appeared in 40 games with four starts. He added veteran experience to a fairly young Falcons interior.
Falcons’ Week 7 Depth Chart vs. Miami Dolphins
The Falcons take on the 1-5 Miami Dolphins for their Week 7 matchup and below is the official depth chart heading into Sunday.
You will notice that Mayfield is still listed as starting left guard with Andrews right behind him and Jason Spriggs and Colby Gossett with step in for McGary’s absence.
OFFENSE
WR – Calvin Ridley, Tajae Sharpe, Christian Blake
TE – Kyle Pitts, Lee Smith
LT – Jake Matthews, Jason Spriggs
LG – Jaylen Mayfield, Josh Andrews
C – Matt Hennessy, Drew Dalman
RG – Chris Lindstrom, Drew Dalman
RT – Jason Spriggs, Colby Gossett
TE – Hayden Hurst, Keith Smith, Feleipe Franks
WR – Russell Gage, Olamide Zaccheaus, Frank Darby
RB – Mike Davis, Cordarrelle Patterson, Wayne Gallman
FB — Keith Smith, Cordarrelle Patterson
QB – Matt Ryan, Josh Rosen, Feleipe Franks
DEFENSE
DL – Grady Jarrett, Marlon Davidson
NT – Tyeler Davison, Ta’Quon Graham
DL – Jonathan Bullard, Mike Pennel, John Cominsky
OLB – Steven Means, Jacob Tuioti-Mariner, Brandon Copeland
ILB – Deion Jones, Mykal Walker
ILB – Foyesade Oluokun, Dorian Etheridge
OLB – Dante Fowler, Adetokunbo Ogundeji
LCB – A.J. Terrell, T.J. Green, Darren Hall
FS – Erik Harris, Jaylinn Hawkins
SS – Duron Harmon, Richie Grant
RCB – Fabian Moreau, Avery Williams, Kendall Sheffield
SPECIAL TEAMS
K – Younghoe Koo
P – Dustin Colquitt
LS – Josh Harris
H – Dustin Colquitt
PR – Avery Williams, Olamide Zaccheaus
KOR – Cordarrelle Patterson