The Atlanta Falcons announced on Saturday that outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter has been placed on injured reserve.
On Wednesday, it was revealed that Carter had entered the NFL’s concussion protocol. Initially, the team reported he missed practice due to an illness, but later that day, it was updated to a concussion. Carter also missed practice on Thursday and Friday and was officially ruled out for Sunday’s Week 7 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks.
Carter had started every game this season except for last week’s victory over the Carolina Panthers, where Matthew Judon was the only starting outside linebacker. In the first six games, Carter recorded 11 tackles and two quarterback hits, playing 50% of the defensive snaps and 23% of special teams snaps.
Originally drafted in the third round by the New York Giants in 2018, Carter joined the Falcons in 2022 and started every game that season. He tallied 58 tackles, four sacks, two pass breakups, a fumble recovery, and a pick-six, making it one of the best seasons of his career. His highest sack total, however, came in 2021 with the Giants when he recorded five.
James Smith-Williams is expected to take over as the starter, as he is listed as Carter’s backup on the depth chart. Carter’s move to injured reserve may also lead to more snaps for Arnold Ebiketie.
With an open spot on the 53-man roster, the Falcons signed cornerback Kevin King to the active roster. King has been part of the Falcons’ active roster or practice squad all season, appearing in all six games. He has played 3% of the defensive snaps and 39% of special teams snaps, recording four tackles.
King returned to the NFL with the Falcons this offseason after being away from football for two years. He missed the 2022 season for personal reasons and sat out 2023 due to injury. Before that, King spent five seasons with the Green Bay Packers, who drafted him in the second round in 2017. His standout season came in 2019, when he posted 66 tackles, 15 pass breakups, five interceptions, a forced fumble, and a sack.
Additionally, the Falcons announced on Saturday that cornerback Natrone Brooks and defensive lineman Demone Harris have been elevated from the practice squad for Week 7. This is the first elevation of the season for both players.
Brooks, an undrafted free agent signed by the Falcons in 2023, has yet to make his NFL debut. Harris, meanwhile, is aiming to play in his 15th career game and first since 2022. The Falcons would be his fourth team, following stints with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2018-19), Kansas City Chiefs (2019-21), and Houston Texans (2021-22). Across his career, Harris has recorded 11 tackles, including two for a loss, and three quarterback hits.
