Entering the bye week, the Falcons top priority was to get healthy. A plethora of critical pieces missed the last game against the Broncos, mostly on defense; however, Atlanta was down a few offensive pieces as well.
The main one being starting center Drew Dalman, who has been out since Week 3 after suffering an ankle injury against the Chiefs. In his place, Ryan Neuzil has been leading the offensive line, and he’s done a pretty damn good job given the circumstances. Still, getting Dalman back, who has blossomed into one of the league’s better centers since being drafted in the fourth-round back in 2021, will provide a massive boost, and Raheem Morris expects him to return this Sunday against the Chargers.
“I do feel good about Dalman starting this week,” Morris said on Wednesday, via Pro Football Talk. “Obviously I hate to tell you that and lie to you before you go to Thursday’s practice when you get the chance to really see that. But just guessing: Yes. Now, don’t hold me to that and yell at me next week.”
The offense has been the Falcons biggest strength through the first 11 games; however, consistency has been an issue, and the unit has mustered just 23 points combined over the last two games. They’ll need to do a lot better if they want to break their current two-game skid against a Chargers team that has been one of the better groups in the AFC.
