The Falcons’ defensive secondary has predictably struggled this season, both due to injuries and inexperience. Things will get even tougher in Week 4 on ESPN’s Monday Night Football when the team takes an explosive Green Bay Packers offense.
On Saturday, Atlanta ruled out both starting safeties, Keanu Neal and Ricardo Allen, along with cornerback A.J. Terrell, who’s still on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Starting nickel CB Darqueze Dennard is on injured reserve for at least the next three games.
But there is one small ray of hope for the Falcons on Monday. Second-year cornerback Kendall Sheffield has returned from a foot injury that sidelined him for the team’s first three games. It’s not exactly an ideal situation for the young corner to be walking into, though.
The Falcons are starting Sheffield in his 2020 debut against Packers QB Aaron Rodgers in prime time. When asked about the challenge he’s up against, Sheffield didn’t deny it would be tough.
“It’s going to be very tough, but I’m up for it and I believe in my abilities,” said Sheffield following Saturday’s practice. “The coaches that I’ve got have got us ready for this game, so I’ll be ready.”
Watch Sheffield’s comments below, as shared by ESPN’s Vaughn McClure on Twitter:
Kendall Sheffield up to the challenge of coming back from foot injury and making his season debut vs. Aaron Rodgers. pic.twitter.com/J4CR4XC7rw
— vaughn mcclure (@vxmcclure23) October 3, 2020
Atlanta’s Week 4 injury report came out today and both receivers Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley were listed as questionable for Monday’s game. Defensive end Takk McKinley will miss his second-straight contest as well.
