After his rookie season in 2022, Atlanta Falcons linebacker Troy Andersen showed a lot of promise and he was set to be a big part of the defense in 2023. That was put on hold after he tore his pectoral muscle in Week 3 against the Detroit Lions and missed the remainder of the season. Fast forward to now, Andersen is the most intriguing player on the Falcons roster coming off of an injury, and The Morning Shift explained why.
Tiffany, Mike, and Beau all agree it’s Andersen. Tiffany leans toward Andersen because of “the potential that was there, and it was taken away from us and taken away from him.”
While Mike also agreed that Anderson is the most exciting and intriguing Falcons player coming off of an injury because he has “shown flashes,” Mike did also say he was a little hesitant to say Andersen because he doesn’t “know what the defensive fit is," and he doesn’t know “exactly how he plugs in” to a Jimmy Lake defense.
Beau believes Andersen is the most intriguing player on the Falcons roster coming off of an injury because “he’s an athletic freak” and he thinks he could not only be used as a linebacker but also a guy that “comes off the edge” because of his size and speed.
Beau also mentioned that with Nate Landman showing last season he can be the Falcons starting middle linebacker, Anderson in a Jimmy Lake-led defense may be used in a capacity Falcons fans haven’t seen before that could be “really fun to watch.”
“I think Troy Andersen’s usage of how they want to use him could be completely something that we’ve not seen in this city.” Morgan said.
It will be nice to see Avery Williams back in the fold after missing all of last season with a torn ACL, especially with the new kickoff rules. But at the end of the day he’s a kick returner and punt returner that may see a little time at running back. Every Falcons fan, coach, player knows what they will get out of Grady Jarrett when he returns from his torn ACL. Troy Andersen could be in a completely different role when he returns. On top of the fact that, Falcons fans haven't been able to see him play much in general.