FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Troy Andersen has played more and more in recent weeks, cutting into Mykal Walker's time on the field. On Sunday in New Orleans, however, it became clear there was a change in the lineup. Andersen and Rashaan Evans were paired together at inside linebacker, with Walker filling in occasionally in a role Andersen used to fill.
What was apparent has now become more official, with Andersen being elevated to the first unit on the team's depth chart, which was released on Monday afternoon.
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Andersen took some time to get the system down, and is still mastering it, but he started playing better football around midseason. Now he's using freak athletic gifts to make plays in coverage, run defense and as a pass rusher.
The second-round rookie is a talented player who could well be a long-term solution at an important position, which is what you look for out of someone drafted so high.
In addition, Elijah Wilkinson is back on the depth chart after returning off injured reserve, with Chuma Edoga behind him at left guard and swing guard Colby Gossett in the third spot.
Marcus Mariota was pulled off the depth chart now that he's on IR, with Logan Woodside occupying the No. 2 spot he manned Sunday against the Saints.
OFFENSE
| Position | Starter | Backup | Reserve | Reserve | Reserve | Reserve |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WR | Drake London | Damiere Byrd | Frank Darby | |||
| TE | Parker Hesse | MyCole Pruitt | Anthony Firkser | Feleipe Franks | ||
| LT | Jake Matthews | |||||
| LG | Elijah Wilkinson | Chuma Edoga | Colby Gossett | |||
| C | Drew Dalman | Ryan Neuzil | ||||
| RG | Chris Lindstrom | |||||
| RT | Kaleb McGary | Germain Ifedi | ||||
| WR | Olamide Zaccheaus | KhaDarel Hodge | ||||
| RB | Cordarrelle Patterson | Tyler Allgeier | Avery Williams | Caleb Huntley | ||
| FB | Keith Smith | |||||
| QB | Desmond Ridder | Logan Woodside |
DEFENSE
| Position | Starter | Backup | Reserve | Reserve | Reserve |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DL | Grady Jarrett | Timothy Horne | |||
| DL | Abdullah Anderson | Jalen Dalton | |||
| DL | Matt Dickerson | Jaleel Johnson | |||
| OLB | Adetokunbo Ogundeji | Arnold Ebiketie | |||
| ILB | Troy Andersen | Mykal Walker | |||
| ILB | Rashaan Evans | Nick Kwiatkoski | |||
| OLB | Lorenzo Carter | DeAngelo Malone | |||
| CB | A.J. Terrell | Isaiah Oliver | Mike Ford | Rashad Fenton | |
| S | Richie Grant | Erik Harris | |||
| S | Jaylinn Hawkins | Jovante Moffatt | |||
| CB | Darren Hall | Dee Alford | Cornell Armstrong |
SPECIAL TEAMS
| Position | Starter | Backup |
|---|---|---|
| K | Younghoe Koo | |
| P | Bradley Pinion | |
| LS | Liam McCullough | |
| H | Bradley Pinion | |
| PR | Avery Williams | |
| KOR | Cordarrelle Patterson -OR- Avery Williams |
We take a monochrome look at the game against the New Orleans Saints on December 18, 2022.
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Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith looks on during warmups before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Brandon Magnus/© 2022 Atlanta Falcons
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Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier #25 scores a touchdown during the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Shanna Lockwood/© 2022 Atlanta Falcons
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Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier #25 warms up before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Brandon Magnus/© 2022 Atlanta Falcons
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Atlanta Falcons safety Jovante Moffatt #20 boards the plane at Atlanta Airport in Atlanta, GA on December 17, 2022 on the way to play against the New Orleans Saints. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Shanna Lockwood/© 2022 Atlanta Falcons
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Atlanta Falcons fans cheer during the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon /Atlanta Falcons)
Brandon/© 2022 Atlanta Falcons
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Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Grady Jarrett #97 reacts after making a tackle during the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon /Atlanta Falcons)
Brandon/© 2022 Atlanta Falcons
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Atlanta Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson #84 arrives before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Brandon Magnus/© 2022 Atlanta Falcons
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Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith prepares to walk out onto the field before facing the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Brandon Magnus/© 2022 Atlanta Falcons
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Atlanta Falcons wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge #12 and Atlanta Falcons cornerback Mike Ford #28 react after a play during the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Shanna Lockwood/© 2022 Atlanta Falcons
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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder #4 prepares to throw the ball during the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon /Atlanta Falcons)
Brandon/© 2022 Atlanta Falcons
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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder #4 walks out to warmups before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Brandon Magnus/© 2022 Atlanta Falcons
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Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 warms up before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Brandon Magnus/© 2022 Atlanta Falcons
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Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 arrives before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Brandon Magnus/© 2022 Atlanta Falcons
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Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier #25 carries the ball during the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Shanna Lockwood/© 2022 Atlanta Falcons
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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder #4 leads the huddle before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Brandon Magnus/© 2022 Atlanta Falcons
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Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Frank Darby #88 arrives before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Brandon Magnus/© 2022 Atlanta Falcons
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Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman Jake Matthews #70, Atlanta Falcons guard Chris Lindstrom #63, Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Grady Jarrett #97, Atlanta Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson #84, and Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 walk out to the coin toss before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Brandon Magnus/© 2022 Atlanta Falcons
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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder #4 warms up before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Brandon Magnus/© 2022 Atlanta Falcons
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Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 runs the ball against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Brandon Magnus/© 2022 Atlanta Falcons
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Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman Drew Dalman #67 looks on during the National Anthem before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Brandon Magnus/© 2022 Atlanta Falcons
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Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter #9 after a play during the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Brandon Magnus/© 2022 Atlanta Falcons
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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder #4 prepares to throw the ball during the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Brandon Magnus/© 2022 Atlanta Falcons
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Atlanta Falcons running back Avery Williams #35 boards the plane at Atlanta Airport in Atlanta, GA on December 17, 2022 on the way to play against the New Orleans Saints. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Shanna Lockwood/© 2022 Atlanta Falcons
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Atlanta Falcons inside linebacker Rashaan Evans #54 makes a sack during the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Brandon Magnus/© 2022 Atlanta Falcons
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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder #4 and Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo #7 high five during the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Shanna Lockwood/© 2022 Atlanta Falcons
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Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Grady Jarrett #97 arrives before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, December 18, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Shanna Lockwood/© 2022 Atlanta Falcons
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