Jake

Matthews

The Falcons’ left tackle has started 199 consecutive games in his career. His streak appeared to be in jeopardy early in the week, but the iron-man tackle practiced in full on Friday, putting him on the right side of questionable for today’s game. He should be good to go for Week 5.

He did practice again, this time in full, so he’s likely trending in the right direction of keeping his games started streak alive.

It was a return after a Wednesday DNP. Matthews left MNF’s win over the Saints with the injury, but it seems like he’ll have a chance to be active for Sunday night’s game against the Ravens.

Coming off a Monday night win over the Saints, the Falcons only held a walkthrough today. Matthews’ DNP status is an estimate from the team. We will get more info on tomorrow’s injury report. If he can’t suit up for Week 5, Michael Jerrell would likely take his spot at left tackle.

Falcons rookie slot DB Billy Bowman Jr. (hamstring) and LB Divine Deablo (forearm) have also been ruled out. None of the three practiced this week. On the plus side, LT Jake Matthews (ankle) will play. The defensive injuries soften up the Falcons’ interior, which benefits Dolphins RB De’Von Achane.

Matthews left Week 6 about halfway through the game and did not return. Raheem Morris said that he “feels good about him playing” today, noting that “he’s a machine.” The fact that he made a solid effort to get back to practice today indicates he’s at least on the optimistic side of questionable.

It’s one injury to watch ahead of Week 7, though it wasn’t like the Falcons had major problems on the offensive line without the 33-year-old veteran. Mike Jerrell played left tackle in Matthews’ absence for most of the second half on Monday.

NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reports the extension includes $38 million fully guaranteed over the next two seasons. Matthews was selected No. 6 overall in the 2014 draft by the Falcons and has been with the team ever since, starting all 179 games he has played in. Atlanta now locks him in for two more seasons to protect the left-handed Michael Penix Jr. Matthews has finished every season since his rookie year with at least a 71.2 PFF blocking grade, and grades out even better than that as a pure pass blocker.

Left tackle Jake Matthews is questionable. Losing both starting tackles for Week 15 would be a nightmare for the Falcons’ ground-heavy approach. Both players rank inside Pro Football Focus’s top 30 tackles in overall grade this year. Though fantasy managers should still be firing up Bijan Robinson, he gets a slight downgrade in the ranks based on these injuries.

Matthews was hurt on a Desmond Ridder interception play and is listed as questionable to return with a knee injury. Backup Tyler Vrabel is in for Matthews to protect Ridder’s blindside.