Falcons to sign QB Danny Etling off practice squad, which means Matt Ryan is likely out Sunday

The Falcons had to make a decision today regarding whether they wanted to bring Danny Etling up from the practice squad, and they’ve done so. That’s our strongest signal yet that the Falcons will be without Matt Ryan on Sunday against the Seahawks.

Etling joined the team over the summer following Kurt Benkert’s season-ending injury, and the young former Patriot and LSU gunslinger showed excellent scrambling ability and a live arm, if inconsistent results. The only way he gets into this game is if Matt Schaub falls apart either literally or figuratively, but it’s a cool opportunity for him either way.

It’s a bummer for Ryan, who had an ironman streak dating back to the 2010 season. This will be only the third missed game in his career thus far, but the team is wise not to rush him back on the field in a lost year against a tough team. Schaub, who hasn’t started a game since 2015, will take the reins of an offense without Mohamed Sanu, and we’ll hope he can surprise enough to at least keep this game close.

Wait for the team announcement, but this is a pretty strong signal about Ryan’s availability Sunday.