Sometimes after a bad loss, you just want to leave town, and that's precisely what the Atlanta Falcons have done. The team isn't on vacation, though. The Falcons are in Madrid, Spain for their Week 9 showdown against the 5-2 Cincinnati Bengals.
The players went through their first walkthrough on Wednesday morning. Even though Atlanta appears to be getting healthier going into Sunday's game, slowing down an explosive Bengals offense will be no cakewalk.
In today's Falcons Wire Recap, ESPN names a potential trade deadline target for Atlanta, James Pearce Jr. returns to practice, Tyler Allgeier wins NFC Offensive Player of the Week, and we look at a new 2027 NFL mock draft from SI.
James Pearce Jr. returns to practice following suspension
Falcons edge rusher James Pearce Jr. returned to practice on Wednesday
and participated in team drills for the first time all season. The 2025 Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate is back with the team after spending the first eight weeks on the NFL's reserve/suspended list.
Last season, Pearce and fellow rookie Jalon Walker helped turn around Atlanta's pass rush with 17 combined sacks. Pearce led the team with 10.5 sacks, while adding 16 QB hits, five passes defended, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. According to ESPN's Marc Raimondi, Pearce won't technically count against the roster during his first week back from suspension.
"The Falcons will get a one-week exemption for Pearce to be on the team's 53-man roster," reported Raimondi.
Falcons' top edge rusher returns ahead of Week 9 game vs. Bengals
— The Falcons Wire (@TheFalconsWire) November 4, 2026
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ESPN lists Texans WR as Falcons trade target
Heading into next week's NFL trade deadline, the Atlanta Falcons have a need for more firepower at wide receiver. They are getting better than expected results from their No. 2 option Jahan Dotson. However, this unit is still relatively top-heavy and if Drake London were to get injured it would be one of the worst in the league.
With that in mind, Atlanta is getting linked with just about every wide receiver who could potentially be on the trade block. Seth Walder at ESPN has linked the Falcons with a new name today: Houston Texans wideout Kayshon Boutte.
"Texans WR Kayshon Boutte. This would be the second time Boutte has been traded this season, after the Patriots dealt him to Houston in August. But that was before the Texans traded for Marvin Harrison Jr. (and before the Texans got out to a 2-5 start). The Falcons are 3-5 but not out of the race in the NFC South, so adding a cheap player who could help is not out of the question, and Boutte is exactly that."
Boutte is never going to be an All-Pro, but he would fill exactly what Atlanta needs at this position: a legitimate threat at the No. 3 spot to take some of the weight off Atlanta's other playmakers, chiefly London, tight end Kyle Pitts and
ESPN links Falcons to Texans WR as NFL trade deadline target
— The Falcons Wire (@TheFalconsWire) November 4, 2026
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SI projects Falcons to draft new franchise left tackle
Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. has been very good this season when he has time in the pocket. If the Falcons want to see his continued success - and less of what we saw in Sunday's loss to the Buccaneers - then they should probably prioritize the offensive line in this year's draft. In SI's new mock draft, Atlanta was projected to take Kentucky offensive tackle Lance Heard with the 13th overall pick.
"Atlanta Falcons offensive line coach Bill Callahan will have a say if the organization drafts an offensive tackle. He'll love Kentucky's Lance Heard, who fits his mold from a size and physicality perspective. This is all about getting a Jake Matthews replacement." - Justin Melo, SI
Falcons find replacement for Jake Matthews in latest 2027 NFL mock draft from SI
— The Falcons Wire (@TheFalconsWire) November 4, 2026
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Falcons sign LB Jared Ivey to practice squad
The Falcons just released Jared Ivey from the 53-man roster earlier this week. According to ESPN's Marc Raimondi, the young linebacker has returned to Atlanta on the practice squad. Since the Falcons still had a practice squad spot available, no corresponding move was needed.
The #Falcons have re-signed LB Jared Ivey back to the practice squad.
— Marc Raimondi (@marcraimondi) November 4, 2026
Bijan Robinson leads NFL in rushing yards
Bijan Robinson hasn't put up his usual eye-popping numbers over the last few weeks, but his steady production has made him the NFL's rushing leader going into Week 9. Robinson has 780 rushing yards, which gives him a slight lead over Detroit Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs (773 yards) and Kansas City Chiefs RB Kenneth Walker (770 yards).
Gibbs and Walker have already had their bye weeks, so they hold higher per-game averages this season. At the same time, Robinson is overdue for one of his trademark performances. Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving rushed his way into the top five following a 170-yard performance against the Falcons in Week 8.
NFL rushing leaders: Bijan Robinson holds narrow lead over Jahmyr Gibbs, Kenneth Walker
— The Falcons Wire (@TheFalconsWire) November 3, 2026
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Former Falcons RB Tyler Allgeier wins NFC award
One week after Michael Penix Jr. took home the award, former Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week. Allgeier rushed for a career-high 147 yards and a touchdown on just 11 carries in the Cardinals' 33-30 overtime win over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. The former fifth-round pick also caught all five of his targets for 44 receiving yards and a touchdown reception.
Former Falcons RB wins NFC Offensive Player of the Week
— The Falcons Wire (@TheFalconsWire) November 4, 2026
📸 Jerome Miron, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect https://t.co/PXzuwLEFh5 pic.twitter.com/6l0nRq4UkO
Falcons vs. Bengals: Latest injury updates for Week 9
Wide receiver Zachariah Branch sat out as expected with a hamstring injury. Stefanski has already ruled the rookie return man out for Sunday's game. Branch was the only player to log a "DNP" on Wednesday, though. Linebacker Divine Deablo, running back Brian Robinson Jr. and LB Yasir Abdullah (designated to return from IR) were limited participants to begin Week 9. Defensive back Billy Bowman Jr. was a full participant.
- WR Zachariah Branch (hamstring): DNP/OUT
- LB Divine Deablo (forearm): LP
- LB Yasir Abdullah (hamstring): LP
- RB Brian Robinson Jr. (hamstring): LP
- DB Billy Bowman Jr. (hamstring): FP
- WR Beaux Collins (hip): FP
- DE James Pearce Jr. (not injury related): FP
- OT Cameron Williams (ankle): FP
Falcons Week 9 injury report: Latest on James Pearce, Divine Deablo
— The Falcons Wire (@TheFalconsWire) November 4, 2026
📸 USA TODAY Images https://t.co/xs2yXtwrd5 pic.twitter.com/QVpKlxmn5Y
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Falcons Recap: ESPN suggests trade deadline target for Atlanta
