The Atlanta Falcons have made it official, placing Da’Shawn Hand on injured reserve with an ailment that’s expected to knock him out for the rest of the season. The team has promoted tight end Nick Muse to the 53 man roster in a corresponding move and have added defensive end Drake Jackson and running back Khalil Herbert to the practice squad.
We wrote about Hand the other day, but suffice to say his injury is devastating given that the team was set to rely on him as a run-stopping early down force in the middle of this defense. The Falcons will have to replace him by committee but may still sign another player, given that their defensive front is talented but perhaps not as deep as we’d like early in the season.
Muse earned the call-up by playing a ton on special teams against Pittsburgh and looking good both in that phase and in his limited looks as a blocker, the same as he has all summer. The Falcons are going to lean heavily on tight ends to help keep either Cooper Rush or Tua Tagovailoa alive in the first weeks of the season, and Muse figures to get some run as part of that mission.
Jackson was a former second round pick for the 49ers who had three sacks in each of his first two seasons working as a reserve, but has seen his career spectacularly derailed by injuries that cost him half the 2023 season, the entire 2024 season, and much of the 2025 season. He was released by the Commanders, who picked him up in 2025, with an injury settlement earlier this year. If he’s healthy, he offers some experience and potential upside on the practice squad, as Jackson is still just 25 years old.
I mentioned Herbert as a candidate for this roster way back in March, noting that he’s been a pretty productive player when he’s had opportunities, can catch the ball, and has returned kicks. With Tyler Goodson headed to Dallas, Atlanta needed a veteran third back and I think Herbert fits the bill quite well. We’ll see if he’s elevated this week.
Join me in giving Muse his props for the elevation, welcoming Herbert and Jackson, and wishing Hand well on his recovery.
