The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
FALCONS NOTES
FLOWERY BRANCH — After Washington’s Taylor Heinicke ran around Mercedes-benz Stadium and heaved up some prayerful passes to beat the Falcons on Sunday, they’ll face a similar challenge from Jets rookie quarterback Zach Wilson.
The Falcons (1-3) play the Jets (1-3) at 9:30 a.m. Sunday at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.
When Wilson, who was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 draft in April, leaves the pocket, he’s much more dangerous than Heinicke because of his arm strength. The Falcons’ defensive backs and linebackers must do a much better job of staying with their receivers when in man-to-man coverage and be more aware of players flowing into and out of their zones.
“For the third week in a row we’ve got a quarterback that can run,” Falcons defensive coordinator Dean Pees said. “The guy’s a good athlete. Guy has a really, really strong arm. He really makes plays out of the pocket very, very well. That makes things difficult in the rush. When he gets out of the pocket, he’s extremely dangerous.”
Wilson, like the NFL’S other touted rookie quar- terbacks, is off to a shaky start. He has thrown eight interceptions and has a lowly passer rating of 62.8.
However, he’s coming off of leading the Jets to a stunning 27-24 overtime victory over Tennessee, in which he hit on two laser shots for touchdowns while on the run.
“( Just) ask Tennessee,” Pees said. “They gave up some big plays to him when he was out of the pocket, and that’s a problem. You’ve got to not let him get out there very often, or you got to at least keep pressure on him when he is out of there.”
Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell, who’ll cover either Jets receiver Corey Davis or Jamison Crowder, is aware of the plays Wilson made against the Titans.
“We know that he likes to use his legs,” Terrell said. “Just playing all the way until the whistle, just not getting careless with your eyes and staying with your man.”
Davis, who’s the Jets’ top receiver, with 16 catches for 257 yards, got behind Tennessee’s defense for a 53-yard touchdown. Jamison, who returned from a groin injury, caught seven passes for 61 yards and a touchdown against the Titans.
“A go od quarterback, young guy,” Terrell said of Wilson. “He likes to make plays, so definitely he is going to extend plays. We just have to stay alert and stay on our guy.”
Sheffield, Andrews will travel: Cornerback Kendall Sheffield and left guard Josh Andrews, who are coming off the short-term injured reserve list and have had their 21-day activation periods started, will travel with the Falcons to London.
Both could be activated in time to play Sunday.
“It’s definitely possible,” Falcons coach Arthur Smith said Wednesday. “We still have some time with those guys. Both of those guys will practice all week. Both of those guys will travel with us. We can make a decision at any time. Those options are on the table.”
Sheffield could be important with nickel back Isaiah Oliver going on injured reserve and being out for the season. Sheffield played nickel back as a rookie in 2018. He started 11 of 16 games.
Last season, he mostly played right cornerback after he was slowed early by a hamstring injury.
He played 700 defensive snaps (67%) in 2019 and played 525 defensive snaps (49%) in 2020.
“He’s played it before, dif- ferent scheme,” Smith noted. “Obviously, with Kendall, he’ll go out there and prac- tice and hopefully find a role for us.”
Gage, Davidson sit out: Wide receiver Russell Gage (ankle), defensive tackle Marlon Davidson (ankle) and safety Erik Harris (calf ) did not practice Wednesday.
The team is set to leave for London today.
have to make a decision before we get on the plane, if we are going to be leaving anybody back,” Smith said. “If that’s in the best interest of their rehab or if we think they have brina chance to play, we’ll ing them with us.”
Harris was injured against Washington and was replaced by second-year safety Jaylinn Hawkins.
Olamide Zaccheaus has been playing for Gage, while rookie Ta’quon Graham has been getting Davidson’s snaps.