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The Falcons will head into their first game without former head coach Dan Quinn on Sunday. Atlanta is 0-5 and set to take on the Minnesota Vikings on the road. Throughout the week, the Falcons were missing two significant players — wide receiver Julio Jones, who has been dealing with a re-aggravated hamstring injury, and safety Jaylinn Hawkins, who suffered a concussion in the week 4 loss to the Green Bay Packers. The team also didn’t practice on Thursday because of a positive COVID-19 case.
On Friday, the Falcons returned to Flowery Branch and held what will be their final practice before traveling to Minnesota on Saturday. The Falcons have released their practice report, giving us insight into where certain players are at health-wise heading into this weekend’s game.
Here is the Falcons Friday, Oct. 16 practice report, per the team:
FULL PARTICIPATION
- S Ricardo Allen (elbow)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION
- S Keanu Neal (hamstring)
- DE Dante Fowler (ankle)
- TE Hayden Hurst (back)
- WR Russell Gage (shoulder)
- DT Grady Jarrett (back)
- LB Foye Oluokun (knee)
- WR Julio Jones (hamstring)
DID NOT PARTICIPATE
- DE Takk McKinley (groin) OUT
- S Jaylinn Hawkins (concussion) OUT
- DT Deadrin Senat (rest)
- C Alex Mack (rest)
- DE John Cominsky (illness - Not COVID-19) QUESTIONABLE
The best news from Friday’s practice report is the return of Julio Jones who did not have an injury designation for Sunday’s game. Jones has been absent since halftime of the week 4 Monday Night Football game against the Green Bay Packers, and appears set to return this week against the Vikings. In bad news, Takk McKinley—who has been the team’s best edge rusher this year—is still dealing with a groin injury. Although he was limited during the week, McKinley has been ruled out for this weekend. Also popping up on the report was John Cominsky, who is dealing with a non-COVID-19 illness. That will be something to monitor heading into Sunday’s game.
On the Vikings side, they have ruled out running back Dalvin Cook, wide receiver K.J. Osborn, cornerback Kris Boyd, and offensive guard Dru Samia. Cornerback Holton Hill is listed as doubtful for Sunday due to a foot injury.