Atlanta Falcons reveal latest injury report at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Atlanta Falcons‘the defense will be without one – if not two – defensive starters in 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, was ruled out as an inside linebacker Troy Andersen for the week 8 game.

Safety Justin Simmonsmeanwhile, is questionable while backup nickel cornerback Antonio Hamilton Sr. is and middle Ryan Neuzil are questionable.

Andersen, who had 41 tackles in four games, is still working his way back from a knee injury suffered in a Week 4 win over the New Orleans Saints. He has missed each of the last three games, but has participated in practice – in a limited capacity – this week.

Essentially, Andersen is moving in the right direction, but he will be inactive again on Sunday. Without Andersen, Nate Landman will see extensive action alongside Kaden Elliss at inside linebacker.

As for Simmons, he continues to nurse a hamstring injury suffered in Week 6 against the Carolina Panthers. Despite playing against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 7, he was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday, did not participate on Friday and is now questionable to enter Sunday.

Should Simmons not play, fourth-year pro Richie Grant will take over alongside Jessie Bates III – a role that Falcons assistant head coach/defense Jerry Gray believes he is prepared for.

“He’s confident in what he does,” Gray said of Grant on Thursday. “I think he speaks a lot more the way you want him to speak, as a footballer. Now that he knows, I can go out and play at this level.” We’re expecting Richie – if we put you out there, we’re not expecting any disappointment.

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

The Falcons (4-3) and Buccaneers (4-3) kick off Sunday at 1 p.m. at Raymond James Stadium.