Falcons injury news: LS Jeff Overbaugh taking snaps and may need to play Thursday

The Falcons are monitoring the health of long-snapper Josh Harris as Thursday’s kickoff looms, and now Jason Butt at The Athletic has more on the story.

Apparently, practice squad LS Jeff Overbaugh was taking snaps Tuesday with Harris to prepare for if he gets the call-up.

At long-snapper, the Falcons are dealing with a hip injury to starter Josh Harris, which forced him to miss practice Monday. He was able to return to practice Tuesday in a limited capacity and was seen rotating with practice squad long-snapper Jeff Overbaugh. Falcons head coach Dan Quinn said a decision on Harris won’t be made until Thursday, which is when Atlanta kicks its season off against Philadelphia. If Harris is unable to go, Overbaugh will be called up to the active roster the day of the game.

As Butt notes, Overbaugh played in some December and January football for the Vikings last season. He’s got the experience needed to fill in if need be.

We know without a doubt what the plan is if Harris can’t go. Overbaugh will join the 53 and play in his stead. It’s good the team is getting him warmed up for the possibility, though it’s a bit curious who the team would decide to cut in order to make space for him.

Harris was limited Tuesday, which makes you think he’s close to being healthy. It’s not likely the team would bite its lip and send Harris to the IR, though if you’re Atlanta, who do you expose to waivers? It would need to be one of the undrafted free agents the team took pains to keep, more than likely. That makes the Harris/IR possibility at least worth mentioning.

So, onward we go into Philly. We’ll probably know something Wednesday as to where this is eventually going to land. Just know with the wire as it is, it won’t be easy for Atlanta to just let somebody hang out for a week before re-signing them.