Losing two starting offensive linemen significantly hindered the Falcons’ effort in a narrow loss to the Chiefs, and the NFC South team will be without one of those players for an extended period. 
Drew Dalman is heading to IR, per NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo, due to the ankle injury he sustained Sunday night; the team has since announced the move. Early in his third season with as the Falcons’ starter, Dalman is in a contract year and cannot return until around the midseason point. The Falcons will be without Dalman until at least Week 8.
This news deals a blow to Atlanta’s offensive line, a unit which enjoyed continuity carrying over from the 2023 campaign. Dalman, 25, has been a key contributor up front since taking on a first-team role; he graded out as PFF’s third-best center last season. He sat in the top five for his performance during the early portion of the 2024 campaign. While this news does not come as a surprise, it will leave a notable vacancy in the middle for the Falcons.
Ryan Neuzil filled in for Dalman in Week 3, and he is positioned to handle a starter’s workload moving forward. The former UDFA has seen time with Atlanta since 2022, making four starts last season. Neuzil logged nearly 200 O-line snaps that campaign, all of which came at center. He drew a PFF grade of 55.3, however, so team and player will be hoping for a step forward in play while Dalman is on the mend. Missed time carries the risk of hindering the latter’s market value during the spring, of course.
In a corresponding move, the Falcons added depth up front by promoting Elijah Wilkinson from the practice squad to the active roster. A veteran of 77 games and 45 starts, Wilkinson logged a first-team role with Atlanta in 2022. He has seen time at guard and tackle during his career, making him a candidate to serve as a right tackle option in the near future. Starter Kaleb McGary is believed to have suffered an MCL sprain, so he could miss time. Wilkinson’s most common position at the NFL level is right tackle, although he exclusively played at left guard during his first Falcons stint.
Atlanta has also signed Matt Hennessy to the practice squad. The 26-year-old was drafted by the Falcons in 2020, and he primarily played at center during his first two years with the team before shifting to guard in 2022. Hennessy has not seen regular season action since then, and he was unable to land a roster spot with the Eagles this offseason. He will now provide Atlanta with interior depth while Dalman recovers.
Sam Robinson contributed to this post.