THE APEX TIMES
Atlanta’s pass rush will be without Samson Ebukam after the team designated the veteran for injured reserve with a hamstring injury. Head coach Kevin Stefanski indicated Ebukam would likely miss the upcoming game in Madrid, alongside wide receiver Zachariah Branch.
The Atlanta Falcons have placed defensive end Samson Ebukam on injured reserve after he suffered a hamstring injury in the team’s Week 8 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday at Raymond James Stadium, according to the Falcons. The move removes one of Atlanta’s most active pass-rush contributors from the active roster for the minimum required IR period.
Through seven games in which he was available this season, Ebukam posted 2.5 sacks, 11 combined tackles (including two for loss), and nine quarterback hits. The team also credited him with 15 pressures across the seven games he was available for, ranking that total fifth among Falcons defenders.
In comments to the media on Monday, head coach Kevin Stefanski said the Falcons were likely to be without Ebukam and wide receiver Zachariah Branch for the upcoming game week in Madrid. Stefanski ruled both players out, but at the time of the announcement only Ebukam had been given the injured reserve designation.
The Falcons’ announcement also notes that Ebukam missed time earlier this season with a hamstring issue, including being inactive for the team’s Week 3 game against the Green Bay Packers after not practicing with a hamstring strain.
Atlanta cited the league’s injured reserve rules, including the requirement that a player must miss at least four games once placed on IR. After that stretch, the team can open a 21-day practice window for return, with the player required to be activated to the 53-man roster during that period or moved to season-ending injured reserve.