Falcons vs. Rams: post-game injury report

The Falcons are consistent ... consistently bad. There’s no nice way to put it. Put simply, this team has been a monumental disappointment in 2019. I’d like say there are better times just around the corner, but I can’t, because that’d be a lie. Truth be told, there’s more heartache to come, Falcoholics. Fasten your seatbelts and get comfortable.

But alas, there were a couple significant injuries today. Let’s break ‘em down.

Ito Smith was knocked out of today’s game with head and neck injuries. He took a nasty helmet to helmet hit in pass protection, which happens, but you hate to see it happen to Smith. (Remember, this isn’t his first head injury of the year.) What’s more, Ito actually took two hits to his head, one from the opposing defender’s helmet and a second when his head careened off the turf. They ultimately had to cart him off the field.

Smith needs to focus on his health right now, which is shame given how well he’s played when healthy this season. This ultimately opens the door for Brian Hill and Qadree Ollison, particularly if Devonta Freeman draws some kind of suspension for his fight with Aaron Donald. For what it’s worth, there’s some chatter indicating Smith merely suffered a stinger, which is astonishing given the video.

As if the paltry offensive performance wasn’t insulting enough, franchise quarterback Matthew Thomas Ryan sustained an ankle injury late in the second half. Ryan took a lot of hits throughout the day, but it was a final hit from otherworldly defensive lineman Aaron Donald that knocked him out of the game. He was seen wearing a protective boot after the game, which doesn’t inspire a ton of confidence. The team is reportedly optimistic about Ryan’s injury, but he will still undergo an MRI tomorrow. At 1-6, the Falcons don’t need Ryan to play this week, so hopefully they’ll give him that time, if he needs it.

Your thoughts, Falcoholics?