The Atlanta Falcons announced their list of inactive players for Week 7’s “Sunday Night Football” game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, California. The team had previously ruled out three starters in its Friday injury report and made final decisions on two others before kickoff.
Right tackle Jake Matthews (ankle) and wide receiver Darnell Mooney (hamstring), both listed as questionable on Friday, are active for the matchup. Edge rusher Jalon Walker (groin), nickel Billy Bowman Jr. (hamstring), and receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III (not injury related) were ruled out ahead of the game.
Matthews will extend his record streak by making his 184th consecutive start for Atlanta, the longest in franchise history and among all active NFL players. He sustained an ankle injury during last week’s win over the Buffalo Bills and missed the second half but returns to play this week. Both Matthews and head coach Raheem Morris indicated throughout the week that they expected him to be available for Sunday night.
Mooney also returns after missing Monday’s game with a hamstring issue, providing a boost to Atlanta’s offense. McCloud remains a healthy scratch for reasons not related to discipline. Head coach Raheem Morris addressed McCloud’s status on Friday: “I sent him home,” Morris said Friday. “An excused absence. We are working through some things that are private with the young man, and we will get those things figured out. … This is between Ray-Ray, the organization and us. I wouldn’t say it is a disciplinary thing. More a football thing with something we have to get straightened out.”
The full list of Falcons inactives for Week 7 against San Francisco includes edge rusher Jalon Walker, cornerback Billy Bowman Jr., wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III, offensive lineman Jack Nelson, and defensive lineman LaCale London.
