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You know football is back when players are ruled out of games. Lets call it bittersweet knowing football is right around the corner but major players are dealing with injuries. Here’s the official word from the Falcons.
#Falcons injury update: Ty Sambrailo (hand), Matt Bryant (undisclosed) will not play in Atlanta’s first preseason game on Friday night. Bryant will also not kick at practice today
— Kelsey Conway (@FalconsKelsey) August 6, 2018
Undisclosed? We don’t see that too often. Team reps told Jason Butt of the Athletic that the injury shouldn’t be too bad.
As for Matt Bryant, team isn’t releasing what the actual injury is. Just that he won’t kick in practice today, will do some treatment and is ruled out Friday. Team rep did say there doesn’t appear to be a long term concern with Bryant’s injury.
— Jason Butt (@JasonHButt) August 6, 2018
Bryant doesn’t really need the practice. He first played with the New York Giants way back in 2002, and started his post-collegiate career with something called the Iowa Barnstormers in 2000. He’s gotten in plenty of kicks.
His replacement will get a chance to show the rest of the NFL what he’s got, because he’s not sticking with Atlanta.
Matt Bryant not kicking today. Injury undiclosed. Not a major concern but wont kick vs. Jets Friday. David Marvin will handle kicks
— vaughn mcclure (@vxmcclure23) August 6, 2018
Sambrailo is a bigger concern. The Falcons traded a fifth-round pick to the Denver Broncos for a young tackle with very unimpressive tape. He played some last season and appears to still be a mediocre player, at best. He needs every snap possible to show the staff he has improved, or he could get bumped out of a roster spot.
The good news? Takkarist McKinley is practicing today, and has yet to be ruled out for Friday’s game. McKinley looked ready in his rookie season, and should be able to build into an impressive sophomore season with former starter Adrian Clayborn now with the New England Patriots.