Drew

Dalman

In addition to Andersen, defensive tackle Grady Jarrett (Achilles) has also been removed from the injury report and will play on Sunday. The Falcons will have two of their top defenders in place against a Saints offense that has already lost Rashid Shaheed for the season and is expected to be without Chris Olave (concussion). Center Drew Dalman (ankle) is also questionable for Week 10 but was a full participant in Friday’s practice.

Andersen was limited in practice this week but has a chance to suit up for the first time since Week 4. His return would be a welcomed one for a Falcons defense that ranks 19th in points and yards allowed per game, and has struggled recently against the running game. In addition to Andersen, the Falcons also listed C Drew Dalman (ankle) and LG Chris Lindstrom(knee) as questionable.

Dalman has a chance to return this week, having practiced in a limited capacity through Wednesday and Thursday. The 5-3 Falcons are in first place in the NFC South. The talented run-blocker’s presence would be a boon for the Falcons’ Week 9 rushing attack.

Dalman landed on injured reserve after injuring his ankle against the Chiefs in Week 3. Dalman can be a liability in pass protection but maintains a high level of play as a run blocker, earning an 84.5 PFF run-blocking grade in 3-of-4 NFL seasons. Dalman can be activated to the game-day roster at any time, within his 21-day practice window. His return bodes positively for the Falcons’ run game.

He will, as always, miss at least the next four games. Ryan Neuzil, a 2021 UDFA from Appalachian State, will be next man up for the Falcons in Dalman’s absence. Dalman had a 90.5 PFF run block grade in 2023 and, through three games, had a 84.5 PFF run block grade this season. It’s a clear downgrade for Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier’s line.

Dalman and right tackle Kaleb McGary both suffered injuries in the loss, with McGary also at risk of missing some time. It’s a brutal blow to an offensive line that’s being counted on to hold up for Kirk Cousins as he continues to return from a torn Achilles suffered last season. Cousins has taken just five sacks on 36 pressures this year, but could face added pressure in the coming weeks if two of his starting linemen are out. Backup center Ryan Neuzil replaced Dalman in Sunday’s contest and played on 42 snaps.

Dalman and Matt Hennessy engaged in a camp battle for the position, and though Hennessy seemed to get plenty of reps with the ones, Dalman appears to have emerged victorious. The 2021 fourth-rounder struggled in the 2022 preseason, posting a 40.8 PFF grade. He did play better in the regular season in 2021, but in a sample of just 68 offensive snaps. Atlanta’s offensive line looks likely to remain a rough patch in 2022.

Dalman (6'3/299) handled a few games at guard as a spot starter in 2018 before moving full-time to center in 2019. Over his two full seasons as the team’s starting center, he earned second-team All-PAC 12 honors (2019) and first-team All-PAC 12 honors (2020), establishing himself as a force among interior OL in the conference. Unsurprising of a Stanford player, Dalman wins primarily with heightened awareness, efficient movement, and quality hand placement. He’s able to consistently find his targets and work himself into a good position to win immediately at the snap. Dalman is an exceptional mover, too, putting up 80th-percentile-or-better marks in every major athletic drill. He shows some shades of Stefen Wisniewski.

This is a big personnel loss for Stanford to take, as Dalman (6'3/300) was one of the Pac-12’s best offensive linemen in 2020. After earning second team all-conference honors in 2019, the redshirt junior was a first team all-conference selection this fall. And according to Pro Football Focus, Dalman was the highest-graded offensive lineman in the Pac-12 (84.8). His departure leaves a large void in the middle of the Stanford offensive line as the team prepares for the 2021 season. Dalman projects to be a Day 3 selection in this spring’s draft.