Atlanta Falcons release final injury report for Tampa Bay Buccaneers game

The Atlanta FalconsThe defense will be without one – if not two – starting defensive players for Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Falcons head coach Raheem Morris, speaking to reporters after Friday’s practice at IBM Performance Field in Flowery Branch, Georgia, ruled out the presence of a center fielder Troy Andersen for the week 8 competition.

Security Justin SimmonsMeanwhile, the nickel cornerback’s backup is questionable Anthony Hamilton Sr there is also a center Ryan Neuzil are questionable.

Andersen, who has 41 tackles in four games, is still recovering from a knee injury suffered in the Week 4 victory over the New Orleans Saints. He has missed each of the last three games, but participated – on a limited basis – in training this week.

Generally, Andersen is headed in the right direction, but he will be inactive again on Sunday. Without Andersen, Nate Landman will see intense action alongside Kaden Elliss at center back.

As for Simmons, he is still recovering from a hamstring injury he suffered in Week 6 against the Carolina Panthers. Despite playing in Week 7 against the Seattle Seahawks, he had limited practice on Wednesday and Thursday, did not compete on Friday and is currently questionable whether he will play on Sunday.

If Simmons doesn’t play, fourth-year pro Richie Grant will fill in for Jessie Bates III. It’s a role that Falcons assistant head coach/linebacker Jerry Gray believes Grant is prepared for.

“He’s confident in what he’s doing,” Gray said Thursday of Grant. “I think as a player he speaks much better the way you want him to speak. Now he knows I can go out there and play at that level.” We expect Richie – when we put you on the pitch, we don’t expect to be disappointed.

Neuzil is dealing with a knee injury that caused him to miss five snaps in Week 7, but he played the entire second half. Neuzil, who is starting in place of the injured Drew Dalman, will be replaced by third-line center Matt Hennessy.

The Falcons (4-3) and Buccaneers (4-3) games will begin Sunday at 1 p.m. at Raymond James Stadium.