Buccaneers
Buccaneers HC Todd Bowles said they’ve ruled out WR Chris Godwin (fibula), RB Bucky Irving (foot/shoulder), and OLB Haason Reddick (ankle) from Week 8 against the Saints, via Greg Auman.
Falcons DC Jeff Ulbrich said the team will utilize multiple players in order to help mitigate the loss of LB Divine Deablo .
“ As we all know, he’s very unique in the fact that he is — from an athletic profile standpoint — very DB-ish, ” Ulbrich said, via the team’s website. “ From a size standpoint, he’s very linebacker. So, we’re going to replace him with some DBs at times and we’ll replace him with some linebackers at times. “
Falcons HC Raheem Morris said LB JD Bertrand will get a shot at taking on as many of Deablo’s reps as possible.
“ He’s going to get a great opportunity to play some more, ” Ulbrich said of Bertrand. “ There’s some other guys, too, that are going to step in and do some of what Divine does. “
All told, the Falcons will give everybody a shot at replacing Deablo’s production until one player creates separation from the rest of the group.
“ Combination of all those guys, absolutely, ” Ulbrich said. “ We’re going to give everybody a little bit of Divine’s role. There is a competitive element this week to see who does the best and deserves the opportunity. “
Saints GM Mickey Loomis admitted that the team’s record isn’t what he hoped or expected it to be, but acknowledged that the team expected to have a rebuilding year.