The Atlanta Falcons ruled out defensive end Za’Darius Smith on Saturday, October 10, for Sunday night’s game against the Baltimore Ravens, downgrading the veteran from questionable because of concussion and neck injuries.
Atlanta also moved linebacker Yasir Abdullah to injured reserve with a hamstring injury, leaving the defense two players short before a prime-time home game against a Ravens offense that is itself without Lamar Jackson.
The Falcons have downgraded DE Za’Darius Smith (concussion/neck) to OUT for tomorrow’s game vs. the Ravens.
— Tori McElhaney (@tori_mcelhaney) October 10, 2026
Why Smith could not be cleared
Smith was a limited practice participant on Friday and carried a questionable designation on the final injury report. A player in the concussion protocol must be cleared by the team physician and an independent neurologist before he can play, and that clearance did not come in time. The Falcons announced the downgrade a little more than 24 hours before kickoff.
Smith, who returned from retirement to sign with Atlanta in August, gives the Falcons experience on the edge that is hard to replace. Two more front-seven starters are also in doubt: linebacker Divine Deablo and defensive end Samson Ebukam are questionable with hamstring injuries after limited work on Friday. Both carried the same designation before the win over New Orleans and played.
Roster moves
To fill Abdullah’s spot, Atlanta signed safety Jammie Robinson to the active roster. The Falcons also elevated pass rushers Bralen Trice and Drake Jackson from the practice squad for the game. It is Trice’s third elevation of the season, the last one allowed before the team would have to sign him to the 53-man roster to keep using him.
The Falcons have placed LB Yasir Abdullah on IR, signing S Jammie Robinson to the active roster.
The team has used a standard practice squad elevation on Bralen Trice and Drake Jackson. This is Trice's third and final available practice squad elevation.https://t.co/PaZICJMCQ3
— Tori McElhaney (@tori_mcelhaney) October 10, 2026
On offense, left tackle Jake Matthews is questionable with a groin injury that forced him out of Monday’s game against the Saints. He did not practice on Wednesday, was limited on Thursday and took full part on Friday. If he plays, it will be his 201st consecutive NFL start.
The matchup
The Falcons arrive after a 45–24 rout of New Orleans on Monday night, a game in which Bijan Robinson set the tone early. Baltimore will start Tyler Huntley at quarterback with Jackson out because of an ankle sprain, and the Ravens are also without newly acquired center Cam Jurgens.
What comes next
The Ravens and Falcons kick off at 8:20 p.m. EDT on Sunday, October 11, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Follow the game on the Game Center. Atlanta hosts the Chicago Bears on Sunday, October 18, while Baltimore travels to Cleveland.
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