Grady

Jarrett

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.

Jarrett noted that the “tendon looked good” in his MRI and that he’s positive about his recovery. We’d expect a missed practice or two this week, but perhaps this will just be a minor injury for the Falcons’ longest-tenured defender.

It was a quick rule out, called an Achilles strain by a few Falcons beat writers. That’s a scary injury for an already-thin Falcons line. Jarrett had two tackles and a sack before leaving.

Emili just finished the season with the UFL’s San Antonio Brahmas. Emili bullied UFL offensive linemen as a three-down player, leading UFL defensive tackles with 14 run-defense stops while ranking sixth in pass-rush win rate (9.8%) and second in pass-rush productivity (6.8) among UFL defensive tackles with at least 100 run-defense and pass rushing snaps, respectively. His Brahmas squad produced a 7-3 regular season record, eventually losing the Birmingham Stallions in the UFL’s championship game. Emili has a chance to compete for the No. 3 defensive tackle role behind Grady Jarrett and David Onyemata.

It’s a brutal blow for the Falcons and their star defensive lineman. The two-time Pro Bowler’s 2023 season comes to an end, after tallying 23 tackles, two TFLs, and 1.5 sacks. Jarrett and the Falcons agreed to a three-year, $67 million contract extension before the 2022 season, which keeps him under control through 2025. He’ll look to bounce back in 2024 and should be ready at the start of training camp if all goes well during recovery.

The Falcons’ elite interior lineman was listed as questionable before halftime then ruled out after the break. Not good. His loss for any amount of time would be a major issue for a team that now has a quarterback controversy on its hands.

The deal includes $34.5 million guaranteed, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Jarrett, coming off a one-sack season, didn’t seem all that likely to return to the Falcons in 2022 until the sides struck a deal Tuesday. A two time Pro Bowler, Jarrett, 29, will anchor the Atlanta defensive line for the foreseeable future. He’s three years removed from his dominant 2019 season in which he recorded 7.5 sacks.

Between this and Arthur Smith’s comments about Jarrett at the owner’s meetings, where he said “players may have their own opinions,” we’re starting to see a picture develop here. Jarrett may not want to be a Falcon. In the last year of his deal, he might quietly be a candidate to be dealt during the draft. Jarrett will turn 29 later this month and is a two-time Pro Bowler, but had just one sack last season.

“We also know that players may have their own opinions, and that’s welcome. It’s part of doing business,” Smith added. “We’ll see how it plays out. I love Grady and we’d love to keep coaching him.” A Jarrett extension would make a ton of sense for the Falcons with a $23.8 million cap number haunting them this season, but reading between the lines here, having his own opinion may include not wanting to re-sign with the Atlanta Falcons. Down Bad in Atlanta without Matt Ryan, this could turn into a full-fledged rebuild in a hurry.

Jarrett is tentatively expected to suit up for the Falcons’ Week 4 matchup against the Titans after missing parts of Sunday’s game with a toe injury. The Falcons’ stud DT racked up two sacks and three QB hits in Weeks 1-2. Jarrett’s presence would be much appreciated against Derrick Henry and company.