The Atlanta Falcons announced on Tuesday afternoon they placed starting linebacker Troy Andersen on injured reserve. Andersen will miss at least four games before he is eligible to return.
Andersen sustained a shoulder/pectoral injury in the fourth quarter of the Falcons’ loss to the Detroit Lions. He missed the Week 2 victory over the Green Bay Packers while in concussion protocol.
Head coach Arthur Smith didn’t confirm the injury on Monday. He simply said it didn’t look good.
Nate Landman filled in admirably for Andersen against the Packers. He was the Falcons’ second-highest graded player according to Pro Football Focus. His 83.4 was only behind the 90.9 of defensive tackle David Onyemata in Atlanta’s Week 2 win.
While not a one-for-one replacement, Atlanta also announced Andersen’s spot on the roster was taken by offensive lineman Storm Norton. The Falcons signed Norton from the New Orleans Saints practice squad. By rule, the Falcons must place him on the 53-man active roster.
A similar transaction happened last week when the Pittsburgh Steelers poached running back Godwin Igwebuike from the Atlanta Falcons’ practice squad.
Norton started 15 games for the LA Chargers in 2021. He earned a PFF grade of 60.3 on 1,074 snaps at right tackle.
The Falcons head to London this week where they take on the Jacksonville Jaguars. FOX is televising the game at 9:30 a.m. EST. Jacksonville is coming off a disappointing 37-20 loss to the Houston Texans.
ESPN GameCast lists the Falcons as a 3.0-point underdog and with a 47.3% chance of winning.
