While the Atlanta Falcons’ defense has been solid as an overall unit so far this season the Falcons’ run defense has not been good all season long. The Falcons are giving up 145.5 rushing yards per game this season, but earlier today The Morning Shift explained how a familiar face returning to the Falcons’ defense could make a huge impact in improving the Falcons’ run defense and stopping the Buccaneers running game tomorrow night.
Mike Johnson and Beau Morgan were talking about how the Buccaneers ran a lot of duo run plays against the Eagles last week, and how that could be bad for the Falcons’ defense because of the way they’ve struggled against the run so far this season, but Beau explained why he thinks the return of veteran linebacker Rashaan Evans could help the Falcons stop the Buccaneers running game on Thursday night.
“One of the things we’ve seen is our defensive line not get blown up, but maybe take on these blocks like that, these double teams, etc.., and then our linebackers have seemed to get washed into everything. I’ve seen Kaden Elliss get washed on the play, i’ve also seen it on the other side where Troy Andersen at times has gotten lost, and I don’t know what Troy Andersen is going to be, if he’s going to play.” Beau said
Beau continued by saying “That is why I think Rashaan Evans, who has been signed to the practice squad, will be called up. I think he and [Matt] Hennessy will be your game day elevations, and I think Rashaan Evans could get a lot of playing time. That’s where he’s a little bit bigger of a guy than [Kaden] Elliss and Troy Andersen, he might have a huge impact on this game Thursday night.”
The former first round pick for the Tennessee Titans was a tackling machine for the Falcons back in 2022. The 6-foot-2, 232-pound linebacker started all 17 games for the Falcons and finished the year with 159 tackles, six tackles for loss and two sacks.
Nate Landman isn’t expected back anytime soon for the Falcons, and as Beau said there’s no telling whether or not Troy Andersen will be able to play tomorrow after suffering a knee injury late in the Saints game on Sunday, so Rashaan Evans could be just what the doctor ordered for the Falcons run defense.