The Falcons are in the unenviable position of facing Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers in Week 4 with a shorthanded secondary. Starting cornerback Kendall Sheffield has missed all three games with a foot injury, while rookie A.J. Terrell was put into the league’s COVID-19 protocol prior to the team’s Week 3 loss to the Bears.
Free safety Ricardo Allen sat out with an elbow injury and things only got worse in the fourth quarter when Darqueze Dennard went down with a pulled hamstring.
That leaves Isaiah Oliver, a talented player that’s been thrown into a No. 1 CB role due to Atlanta’s barrage of injuries. Oliver’s well-noted struggles in Week 3 weren’t entirely on him, though. For one, he shouldn’t be in that role, nor should he get the brunt of criticism simply by being the only defensive back to stay healthy.
Secondary coach Joe Whitt was brought in to work with the Falcons’ young corners during the offseason. Despite the rocky start, Whitt isn’t about to throw Oliver under the bus. Watch his comments on Oliver below, as shared by ESPN’s Vaughn McClure on Twitter.
Joe Whitt Jr. wasn’t going to single out Isaiah Oliver. pic.twitter.com/UperTdIkYu
— vaughn mcclure (@vxmcclure23) September 29, 2020
As for Terrell, Whitt said he “can’t wait to get him back.” In another video shared by McClure, Whitt talked about having Charles Woodson address the team before the season.
“I can’t wait to get him back,” said Falcons secondary coach Joe Whitt about A.J. Terrell, who remains on reserve-COVID-19 list right now. Whitt also talks about having great Charles Woodson address the group before season. Whitt coached Woodson in Green Bay. pic.twitter.com/6xRKKceNl1
— vaughn mcclure (@vxmcclure23) September 30, 2020
The Falcons did get some good news this week, activating CB Jordan Miller, a 2019 fifth-round pick, to the active roster following a suspension. Check back for Atlanta’s injury report after today’s practice.
