Getty Qadree Ollison #30 of the Atlanta Falcons.
The Atlanta Falcons have been searching for their backfield answer for quite some time.
Last week, they turned to practice squad running back Qadree Ollison after Cordarrelle Patterson was announced inactive. Ollison ended up leading the ground game carrying the ball nine times for 34 yards in the Falcons’ 25-0 Thursday Night loss to the Patriots.
The Falcons could use Ollison again if Patterson isn’t available. Patterson has practiced all week, although its’ been limited. The only problem, however, is that Ollison hasn’t been at practice the last three days, according to media members who were in attendance this week.
ALL the latest Falcons news straight to your inbox! Join the Heavy on Falcons newsletter here!
Ollison Can Only Be Elevated One More Time
While Ollison hasn’t been very effective in the backfield, he’s shown some signs of hope for the lackluster run game. Whether or not we see Ollison elevated again remains up in the air, but if we do, then it will be the last time Atlanta is allowed to do so before they would have to sign him to the 54-man roster.
And it looks like that could happen as head coach Arthur Smith seems to approve.
“I thought Q ran hard. It was good to see,” Smith said during Wednesday’s press conference. “I thought he was – we talked about physical, but he ran physical. He’s a guy that’s worked through it, but obviously hasn’t been the easiest season for him. It’s a hard job and understanding it’s the NFL but guys like him that go through the ups and downs, the journey of the roster, but I thought he certainly earned the right for more carries and we’ll just have to see how the game plan goes and as week goes.”
While it would be great for Ollison, who has averaged just 2.7 yards on 32 career carries, to get more action to prove himself, let’s hope Patterson is back in the lineup on Sunday. However, as of Friday, he is questionable with an ankle injury still.
Falcons Week 12 Depth Chart vs. Jacksonville
The Falcons’ No. 1 receiver Calvin Ridley was eligible to return this week, but it looks like he’s not ready to ye.
Atlanta also signed two punters, including longtime Saints legend Thomas Morstead, in case Dustin Colquitt is unable to play due to the league’s COVID-19 protocol.
Here is the Falcons’ Week 12 depth chart:
Offense
QB: Matt Ryan, Josh Rosen, Feleipe Franks
RB: Mike Davis, Cordarrelle Patterson, Wayne Gallman
WR: Tajae Sharpe, Christian Blake
WR: Russell Gage, Olamide Zaccheaus, Frank Darby
TE: Kyle Pitts, Parker Hesse
TE: Lee Smith, Keith Smith
LT: Jake Matthews, Jason Spriggs
LG: Jalen Mayfield, Josh Andrews
C: Matt Hennessy, Drew Dalman
RG: Chris Lindstrom, Drew Dalman
RT: Kaleb McGary, Jason Spriggs, Colby Gossett
Defense
DL: Grady Jarrett, Marlon Davidson
DL: Tyeler Davison, Ta’Quon Graham, Anthony Rush
DL: Jonathan Bullard, Mike Pennel, John Cominsky
OLB: Dante Fowler, Brandon Copeland
LB: Deion Jones, Mykal Walker
LB: Foyesade Oluokun, Emmanuel Ellerbee
OLB: Adetokunbo Ogundeji, James Vaughters
CB: A.J. Terrell, Darren Hall, Chris Williamson
CB: Fabian Moreau, Avery Williams, Kendall Sheffield
S: Erik Harris, Jaylinn Hawkins
S: Duron Harmon, Richie Grant
Special Teams
K: Younghoe Koo
P: TBD
LS: Josh Harris
H: TBD
PR: Avery Williams, Olamide Zaccheaus
KOR: Cordarrelle Patterson
READ NEXT: