Chicago Bears must monitor Atlanta Falcons injury report

Today will be an important day for knowing who the Atlanta Falcons will be suiting up against the Chicago Bears

First and foremost, the Chicago Bears know that they have to run their stuff, and stick to their identity to win football games. However, any NFL fan knows that you have to tailor your gameplan around your specific opponent.

For the Atlanta Falcons that may be easier said than done heading into week three. The Falcons blew a huge lead on Sunday, and the injury report explains some of how that could happen. The team is banged up right now.

Here is what each injury could mean to the Chicago Bears

Kendall Sheffield

Sheffield was expected to get snaps on the outside for Chicago but has not seen the field in 2020 due to his injury. His lack of participation ensures that Isaiah Oliver, AJ Terrell, and Darqueze Dennard will be the three cornerbacks.

Julio Jones

I do not think I need to explain the significance of Jones. However, this is key for Jaylon Johnson, who would line up with Jones for most of the day. He has been awesome against Marvin Jones and  Darius Slayton so far, but Jones is obviously a different test.

If Jones cannot go, Olamide Zaccheaus may be in line for more snaps with Calvin Ridley and Russell Gage. Talk about a drop-off. It would leave the Bears with the chance to put all eyes on Calvin Ridley.

Damonte Kazee and Ricardo Allen

Kazee has started at free safety, while Allen has been a tight end/running back stopper. However, Allen also would be the back up free safety to Kazee. Jaylinn Hawkins, a fourth-round rookie would be in line to play if either were down. Hawkins is better in the box, so either of the two would assume free safety duties.

Nonetheless, with either being out, this could make Jimmy Graham and Tarik Cohen go-to’s to test the rookie in the box. If both are out, deep shots are in play as well.

Foye Oluokun

Oluokun is the partner to Deion Jones. His loss would once again signify more targets to Graham and Cohen. Without him. Mykal Walker, a fourth-round rookie, and journeyman LaRoy Reynolds would be seeing the field more.

Dante Fowler and Takk McKinley

Groin and ankle do not sound great, but it would be devastating to see both of these two out of the lineup on Sunday. Even as a Bears fan, it would be better to see Charles Leno and Bobby Massie tested, even if neither is at full strength.

Without those two, Jacob Tuloti-Mariner, and Steven Means would be in line for more snaps. All of a sudden this could be the easiest matchup of the year for the Bears tackles. John Cominsky can move outside, but Tyler Davison was limited, so the Falcons may need help on the interior as well.

Jake Matthews and Kaleb McGary

Phew. This list is long, and these players are major contributors and cogs to the success in Atlanta. Matthews holds down the left side and would be a great test for Robert Quinn. With Quinn being a rotational player, Matthews could handle his own, but the backup would be in serious trouble.

McGary left the game on Sunday, and Matt Gono took snaps at right tackle. He is likely the next man up on either side. McGary is raw and often injured, and Gono is not a bad swingman. If Matthews could suit up, McGary being out would not hurt. Gono and McGary would leave two inexperienced linemen in a tough spot for Atlanta. Having Gono, across from John Wetzel would be a big mismatch for the Chicago Bears.

Every name on this list is worth following their participation on Thursday and especially Friday.