The Atlanta Falcons will have cornerback A.J. Terrell Jr. back for Sunday’s home game against the unbeaten San Francisco 49ers, but they will play without linebacker Divine Deablo, running back Brian Robinson Jr. and slot defender Billy Bowman Jr. The club activated Terrell from injured reserve on Saturday, October 24, which cleared the questionable tag he carried on Friday’s report.
For a 2-4 team coming off a 31-23 home loss to the Chicago Bears, the trade-off is a mixed one. Terrell gives Atlanta its No. 1 cornerback against a 49ers offense that is short of receivers itself, while the absence of Deablo takes away the player who organizes the defense before the snap.
Terrell back after four games
Terrell hurt his groin in Week 2 and spent the next four games on injured reserve. His 21-day practice window opened on Wednesday, he worked all week and he was a full participant on Friday. The Falcons had until 4 p.m. ET on Saturday to add him to the active roster, and they did, so he goes into the game with no designation.
A.J. Terrell Jr. has been activated from IRhttps://t.co/KS5wZKVMrs pic.twitter.com/cHEjOLbDlg
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) October 24, 2026
Who is out, and who fills in
Deablo (forearm), Robinson (hamstring), Bowman (hamstring) and tackle Michael Jerrell (bicep) all missed Friday’s practice and were ruled out. Jerrell went on injured reserve on Saturday, and defensive end Drake Jackson, who had been elevated from the practice squad for each of the last two games, was signed to the 53-man roster in his place.
Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich has called Deablo one of the better communicators he has worked with for a young player. Rookie linebacker Kendal Daniels, who is questionable with a neck injury from the Bears game but practiced fully on Friday and has said he could play, is the expected replacement in that role. Linebacker Brian Asamoah was elevated for depth. Bowman, who hurt his hamstring late in Week 6, has been Atlanta’s slot cornerback.
Robinson has four touchdowns this season, second on the team. With him out, running back Khalil Herbert was elevated from the practice squad to back up Bijan Robinson. Herbert spent August with the 49ers before Atlanta signed him in September.
The questionable list
Edge rushers Za’Darius Smith (neck) and Samson Ebukam (hamstring), defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr. (hamstring), cornerbacks C.J. Henderson (groin) and Avieon Terrell (back and illness), Daniels and receiver Olamide Zaccheaus (shoulder) are questionable. Smith and Henderson practiced fully on Friday; Dexter, Ebukam, Avieon Terrell and Zaccheaus were limited. Receiver Beaux Collins (hip) and tackle Cameron Williams (ankle), both on injured reserve, were ruled out on Saturday. Left tackle Jake Matthews and right tackle Jawaan Taylor had rest days on Friday and carry no designation.
San Francisco (6-0) is without Nick Bosa, Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel, linebackers Luke Gifford and Garret Wallow and safety Marques Sigle, though Christian Kirk was activated to make his 49ers debut. The 49ers’ report is here.
What comes next
Kickoff at Mercedes-Benz Stadium is 1:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday, October 25, and inactive lists are due 90 minutes earlier. Follow every play in the 49ers-Falcons Game Center and every club’s status on the injury page. The Falcons then visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, November 1, at 1:00 p.m. EST.
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