Falcons’ proactive approach praised

After positive test on DL, team’s quick action helped stop outbreak.

Since Marlon Davidson was placed on the reserve/ COVID- 19 list Oct. 13, the Falcons have taken extensivemeasures tomake sure the coronavirus did not spread throughout the team.

Still, the defensive line room has been hit hard.

In addition to Davidson, defensiveendJohnCominskywasplaced on the reserve/ COVID- 19 list Oct. 17, defensive line coachJess Simpson tested positive and defensive pass- rush coordinator Tosh Lupoi was held back from the Minnesota gamefor contact tracing.

Thi s week, defensive tackle Deadrin Senat has not been allowed to practice because he was exposed to Davidson. Also, the defensive line group warmed up on a separate field away from the rest of the teamWednesday and Thursday.

“Theywere downon theirown field,” Falcons interim coach RaheemMorris said Friday.“They did their thing as far as some of the adjustments. ( Friday) in walkthrough and inpractice is the fifirst time thewhole team will be able to be together as far as the defensive line and the whole defense in practice today.”

The Falcons were proactive in trying to avoid a situation like the Las Vegas Raiders, who placed four offensive linemen on the reserve/ COVID- 19 list Thursday.

“First of all, I thought the organization did an amazing job of going beyond the protocols of the league,” defensive coordinator Jeffff Ulbrich said. “( President and CEO) Rich McKay and ( interim coach Raheem Morris) obviously, they held those guys out as a precautionary thing for the entire teamand for the guys thatwere held out. Iwant to commend them for that.”

EventhoughDavidsonandCominskyare role players, theFalcons, who were 0- 5, had to weigh the balance of winning against the

Jess Simpson