FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons announced on Saturday that outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter has been placed on injured reserve.
On Wednesday, it was disclosed that Carter was in the NFL’s concussion protocol. Initially, the Falcons indicated he missed practice due to an illness, but this was later updated to a concussion diagnosis. Consequently, Carter did not practice on Thursday or Friday and was ruled out for Sunday’s Week 7 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks in the injury report.
Carter had started every game except for last week’s victory against the Carolina Panthers, where the Falcons fielded only one outside linebacker (Matthew Judon). In the first six games of the season, he recorded 11 tackles and two quarterback hits, playing 50% of the defensive snaps and 23% of special teams snaps.
Originally drafted in the third round by the New York Giants in 2018, Carter joined the Falcons in 2022 and started every game that season, amassing 58 tackles, four sacks, two pass breakups, a fumble recovery, and a pick-six—arguably his best season to date. He previously had a standout year in 2021 with five sacks for the Giants.
James Smith-Williams is expected to take over as a starter in Carter’s absence, as he is listed as Carter’s backup on the depth chart. Carter’s placement on IR may also lead to more playing time for Arnold Ebiketie.
With an open spot on the 53-man roster, the Falcons signed cornerback Kevin King to the active roster. King has been part of the Falcons’ active roster or practice squad all season, appearing in all six games with 3% of defensive snaps and 39% of special teams snaps, and has made four tackles.
King made his return to the NFL with the Falcons this offseason after a two-year hiatus from football. He missed the 2022 season for personal reasons and the 2023 season due to injury. Before joining the Falcons, he played five seasons with the Green Bay Packers, who drafted him in the second round in 2017. His best season was in 2019, where he recorded 66 tackles, 15 pass breakups, five interceptions, a forced fumble, and a sack.
Additionally, the Falcons announced the standard practice squad elevations for Week 7, promoting cornerback Natrone Brooks and defensive lineman Demone Harris. This will be their first elevations in 2024.
Brooks has not yet made his NFL debut since joining the Falcons as an undrafted free agent in 2023. Harris is aiming to appear in his 15th career game, having last played in 2022. He has previously played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Kansas City Chiefs, and Houston Texans, with a total of 11 tackles—two for a loss—and three quarterback hits.
The Falcons’ game against the Seahawks is set for 1 p.m. ET and will be broadcast live on FOX from Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Notable previous practice squad elevations for 2024 include:
– Week 1: King and wide receiver Chris Blair
– Week 2: Safety Dane Cruikshank
– Week 3: None
– Week 4: Offensive lineman Matt Hennessy
– Week 5: Hennessy and inside linebacker Josh Woods
– Week 6: Hennessy and King
Teams are permitted to elevate up to two practice squad players per game, with each player allowed a maximum of three elevations before needing to be signed to the active roster.
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