Matt Bryant, Devonta Freeman ruled out for Monday Night Football against the Giants

When Matt Bryant pulled up lame kicking what almost certainly was a game-sealing field goal, given what the Buccaneers managed to do shortly thereafter, many of us feared the worst. You’re talking about a 43-year-old kicker, after all, and as good as Bryant is nobody beats Father Time forever.

Thankfully, it doesn’t sound like this is the kind of injury that will knock Bryant out for the rest of the year, which is all we could ask for. He is going to miss at least one week, however, and Devonta Freeman will be sidelined with him.

Bryant appears to have a strain, and with any luck that won’t keep him out longer than two weeks. Given that the Falcons have a much-needed bye after their Monday Night Football game against the Giants, they may only need to get by for a single game. Unfortunately, that means opening up a roster spot, likely by cutting Brian Hill, Blidi Wreh-Wilson, or another back-of-the-roster player. We also don’t know who they’ll nab for that week, though Giorgio Tavecchio and summer Falcon David Marvin are legitimate possibilities.

And as I mentioned, the Falcons will be down Freeman again. On one hand, the offense has been humming without him, and our own DW will look at how that’s been possible in the coming days. On the other hand, the team’s rushing effectiveness has also been real spotty, and they’ve been heavily reliant on Matt Ryan’s golden arm to carry the day. It’d be nice to have Free back after the bye, as well.

Let’s hope we get good news about Calvin Ridley and Mohamed Sanu and the Falcons spank the Giants en route to a 3-4 record and a bye. We could use some good news and good results.