Falcons MNF Comeback and NFL Injuries: A Night of Shocks and Setbacks

The Falcons’ MNF comeback stunned viewers, while NFL injury updates show key players out across the league

The Falcons’ MNF comeback was a stunning twist, and NFL injuries continue to alter the course of the season. The Eagles led 18-15 in the 4th quarter with 1:46 on the clock, the Eagles Saquan Barkley dropped an open pass that would have sealed the game. Then Kirk Cousins and the Falcons drive down the field and score the game winning touchdown on a 76 Yard 6 play drive!

Joe Buck, a seasoned NFL commentator, expressed his shock after witnessing the Philadelphia Eagles’ late-game collapse against the Atlanta Falcons on Monday Night Football. The Falcons scored a last-minute touchdown, completing a six-play, 70-yard drive in just over a minute to win 22-21. Buck, who has been calling games for 31 years, said he had never seen such a sudden turnaround. Read more on the NYpost

4th Quarter Fireworks on MNF!
Late in the fourth quarter the Eagles were driving, and found themselves with third down and 3 at the Falcons 10 yard line with just 1:46 to go. Jalen Hurtz rolled to his right and found an open target Barkley, with a throw on the run from Hurtz, Barkley dropped the ball just short of the 1st down line. “I let my team down today” Barkley said after the game. “I shouldn’t have put the defense in that position. If I make the catch, the game is over.” Following the incompletion the eagles kicked a field goal making the score 21-15 with 1:05 on the clock for Kirk Cousins and the Falcons offense starting from their own 30 yard line. With a 6 play 30 second drive topped by a Drake London Touchdown the Falcons took a 22-21 win over the Eagles

Barkley now leads the leagues in drops by a running back dropping 16 passes since the start of the 2021 season. Read more on ESPN

Questionable coaching Decisions By Nick Sirianni
ESPNs analytics gave the Eagles a 96% chance of winning the game if they had run the ball on third down even for a 0 yard gain.
They also gave the eagles a 95% chance of winning if they went for it on 4th down rather than kicking the field goal which gave them a 90% chance of winning.

Nick Sirianni after the game said this
“[On] fourth-and-3 … with them not having any timeouts, I wanted them to be down a touchdown and see if they could drive the field, and they did. Hats off to them.”

QB Jalen Hurtz after the game also said this,
“I trust [Barkley] every day of the week to make a play, just like everybody else,” he said. “We’ll be better from it.
“It’s not a matter of expectations, it’s a matter of just executing what’s called. And we came up short in that moment.”

As the Falcons MNF comeback unfolded, NFL injuries added another layer of drama with key players missing crucial games. The Eagles now face their toughest opponent yet after the Falcons MNF comeback and the NFL injuries. They go to take on the Saints who are as healthy as ever.

Shift from Falcons’ MNF Comeback to NFL Injuries Impacting Key Players

While the Falcons’ MNF comeback stunned football fans, the ripple effect of mounting NFL injuries is reshaping the league’s landscape. Here’s a look at how key players are being sidelined, leaving teams scrambling to adjust mid-season

1. 49ers’ Deebo Samuel to Miss a Few Weeks with Calf Strain

San Francisco 49ers star wide receiver, Deebo Samuel, is set to miss a couple of weeks due to a calf strain suffered late in the team’s Week 2 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. With the Niners already missing key players like running back Christian McCaffrey, Samuel’s absence is another blow to a team struggling with injuries early in the season.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed that Samuel strained his calf with just over two minutes left in the fourth quarter during the 23-17 loss. Samuel appeared to injure himself while catching a short pass, a play where he was visibly limping afterward. Although he briefly re-entered the game, his impact was limited, as evidenced by his final stats: eight catches for 110 yards and two carries for negative yardage.

The loss of Samuel compounds the challenges facing the 49ers’ offense. The team is already without McCaffrey, who is sidelined with Achilles tendonitis and will miss at least three games. These two players are the most versatile pieces in the 49ers’ attack, and their absence leaves a significant void. In the past, Samuel’s ability to play multiple roles—wide receiver, runner, and even decoy—helped keep the offense dynamic, especially when key players were unavailable. Without him, Shanahan will have to rely on a group of less experienced players, including Brandon Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings, and Jacob Cowing, to step up.

Injuries have been a frustrating theme for Samuel throughout his career. Since being drafted by the 49ers in 2019, Samuel has never played a full season. Over the years, he has battled various injuries, including to his groin, foot, hamstring, ankle, knee, and shoulder. While his contributions on the field are undeniable, these recurrent injuries raise concerns about his long-term durability.

Beyond Samuel and McCaffrey, the Niners will have to deal with further roster limitations. They still have an open spot from placing McCaffrey on injured reserve, which means the team could be looking to bring in reinforcements, though none are guaranteed. Shanahan remains confident in the team’s ability to adapt but admits that losing top-tier talents like Samuel makes it an uphill battle for the offense.

2. Miami Dolphins Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in Concussion Protocol, Not Placed on IR

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will not be placed on injured reserve despite suffering a concussion in the Week 2 loss to the Buffalo Bills. Head coach Mike McDaniel announced that further evaluations are needed before making a final decision on Tagovailoa’s return, but there is no clear timeline for his recovery.

This concussion, sustained during a 26-20 loss to the Bills, is another concerning injury for Tagovailoa, who has had a history of head injuries since entering the league. His health has become a focal point for the Dolphins, as McDaniel remains non-committal about any potential long-term decisions, such as placing him on injured reserve or his potential retirement. McDaniel emphasized that Tua himself should have control over his career decisions.

As a precautionary measure, the Dolphins signed quarterback Tyler Huntley from the Baltimore Ravens’ practice squad. Huntley brings starting experience, having played 10 games for the Ravens and earning a Pro Bowl selection in 2022. While Skylar Thompson is expected to start the next game, Huntley’s addition provides valuable depth and could create competition if Tagovailoa’s absence extends.

McDaniel continues to prioritize Tagovailoa’s well-being, stating that Tua is responsible for speaking about his future in football. This reflects the coach’s ongoing concern for the long-term health risks associated with concussions, especially given Tagovailoa’s injury history.

As Tua remains in the concussion protocol, third-year quarterback Skylar Thompson will be the starter for the Dolphins’ upcoming game against the Seattle Seahawks. Thompson has limited experience, having started three games as a rookie, but he will have an opportunity to step up while the team assesses Tua’s recovery.

3. Rams’ Cooper Kupp Expected to Miss Extended Time with Ankle Injury

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp will miss significant time due to an ankle injury sustained in the team’s Week 2 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. Head coach Sean McVay confirmed that Kupp may be placed on injured reserve, along with other key players like guard Jonah Jackson and safety John Johnson III, as injuries continue to plague the Rams.

Kupp exited the Rams’ 41-10 blowout loss to the Cardinals in the second quarter, later appearing on the sideline in a walking boot. McVay indicated that Kupp will be out for an “extended period” and hinted that injured reserve is a possibility. This marks another setback for Kupp, who has struggled to stay healthy since leading the NFL in receptions, yards, and touchdowns during the 2021 season.

Kupp’s injury is just one in a series of health issues plaguing the Rams. Key offensive linemen, including Steve Avila and Joe Noteboom, are already on injured reserve, forcing the Rams to shuffle their lineup. Alaric Jackson, who was suspended for the first two games, will return this week, but the Rams’ offensive line remains fragile, making it harder for McVay to build consistency on offense.

With Kupp out, the Rams will rely on a depleted group of receivers, including Demarcus Robinson, Tyler Johnson, Tutu Atwell, and rookie Jordan Whittington. The team is also without Puka Nacua, who is sidelined with a posterior cruciate ligament injury suffered in Week 1. As the Rams’ offense continues to adjust to these changes, McVay acknowledged that the team is running out of injured reserve slots, highlighting the extensive list of health concerns early in the season.

Much like Deebo Samuel, Kupp has battled injuries throughout his career, making it difficult for him to sustain his elite production. After missing four games in 2023, Kupp entered this season with high hopes, but his latest setback could hinder his ability to replicate the dominance he displayed during his 2021 triple crown season. McVay voiced his frustration with Kupp’s string of injuries, noting that while none are season-ending, the extended time missed by key players has a significant impact on the team.

The Falcons MNF comeback and the rise in NFL injuries are reshaping the season’s trajectory, New Juggernauts emerging as good teams struggle in the opening two weeks of the 2024 NFL season. Find out more on NFL.com

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