Falcons injury report: James Carpenter won’t suit up against Saints

Friday is now upon us, as the Atlanta Falcons continue to prepare for this Sunday’s matchup with the New Orleans Saints. The Friday practice report always provides us with the best outlook on who we can expect to see (and not see) in that weekend’s game.

This is not exactly a surprise, but starting left guard James Carpenter, who was carted off the field against the Raiders with a groin injury, will miss Sunday’s game against the Saints.

The team released its official practice report for Friday, giving us insight into where certain players stand health-wise.

FULL PARTICIPATION

• FB Keith Smith (knee)
• K Younghoe Koo (right quad)

LIMITED PARTICIPATION

• WR Calvin Ridley (foot/ankle)
• DE Dante Fowler (hamstring) QUESTIONABLE
• WR Julio Jones (hamstring) QUESTIONABLE
• RB Todd Gurley (knee) QUESTIONABLE
• TE Hayden Hurst (ankle)
• LB Edmond Robinson (back)
• WR Brandon Powell (toe)

NO PARTICIPATION

• CB Kendall Sheffield (illness) QUESTIONABLE
• G James Carpenter (groin) OUT

After not practicing on Thursday, Julio Jones, Todd Gurley and Hayden Hurst all returned to practicing on Friday on a limited basis. Jones and Gurley are both designated as questionable for Sunday’s game and may be true gametime calls.

Kendall Sheffield who hasn’t practiced all week due to an unspecified illness is also being listed as questionable. The only player officially ruled out for Sunday’s game is James Carpenter who, as mentioned above, was carted off the field last week against the Raiders. In his place will likely be Justin McCray, who filled in for Carpenter when he exited the game last week, though Matt Hennessy and Matt Gono will also be in the mix.

If the Falcons are down Carpenter and Julio, Gurley, or both, it’s bad news for an offense that managed just nine points the last time out. Let’s hope for the best.