Dee

Alford

Alford was injured in a pile while making a tackle in the third quarter. His backup, Te’Cory Couch, has already been injured in this game as well. That means that the Bills will turn to practice squad call-up Kani Walker or safety Damar Hamlin as their slot corner.

A former undrafted free agent who joined the Falcons in 2022, Alford has started 23 of the 64 games he has played in for his career and registered a career-high three interceptions and 13 pass breakups last season. Alford has played almost exclusively as a slot corner since entering the league, and will replace Taron Johnson, who they recently traded to the Raiders in exchange for a late draft pick. His new deal includes $10.12 million in guaranteed money.

Defensive lineman Sam Roberts is questionable to return because of an ankle injury. Both players are backups who were forced into larger roles today due to injuries. Alford has appeared in all eight games for the Falcons this year. He has six pass breakups and two sacks.

Alford entered the league in 2022 after spending the first two seasons of his post-college career playing in the CFL. Alford started a career-high 11 games last season and racked up 83 tackles and 11 pass breakups while earning a PFF coverage grade of 55.9. Alford, 27, should generate enough interest to have a chance to make a roster as a depth piece next season.

Atlanta will be without Alford in a matchup with a Bo Nix-led Broncos passing attack that has shown signs of life in recent weeks. The Falcons being without Alford, Hughes, and Hamilton should be a boon for Nix and Courtland Sutton.

Alford suffered his concussion in the Falcons’ Week 5 win over the Buccaneers, but with extra time to clear protocol, is now good to go for Week 6 against the Panthers. The Falcons’ starting slot corner has played on 180 defensive snaps this season, per PFF, and has allowed opposing receivers to go for 22-185-2 on 26 targets, earning a coverage grade of 51.9.

Alford went down in the first quarter and was ruled out after the break. The Falcons’ slot man, Alford will at least have 10 days to get cleared for Week 6 against the Panthers.