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Top Matt Hennessy News
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Falcons' Matt Hennessy: Back from injury
Hennessy (knee) handled first-team left guard reps in 11-on-11 drills during last week's OTAs, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.
After exiting the Falcons' 2022 season finale with a knee injury, Hennessy is healthy and playing once again. Last season, the young offensive linemen started three of the 11 games he appeared in for Atlanta, and is now expected to compete for the starting role at a seemingly open left guard position with Kyle Hinton and Matthew Bergeron.
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Falcons' Matt Hennessy: Done for Week 18
Hennessy (knee) will not return Sunday against the Buccaneers, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Hennessy's absence will leave the team down its starting left guard for the remainder of the contest. In his absence, Colby Gossett will likely handle the position.
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Falcons' Matt Hennessy: Ready to return
Hennessy (knee) was activated from injured reserve Saturday.
Hennessy has officially returned to the 53-man roster after he was placed on IR on Nov. 8 and then designated to return Dec. 12. He should suit up Sunday against the Cardinals, and he'll likely provide depth on the offensive line. Although, if Elijah Wilkinson (calf) is unable to play, Hennessy could draw the start at left guard.
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Falcons' Matt Hennessy: IR stint may be ending
Hennessy (knee) will return to practice this week, according to head coach Arthur Smith, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.
Hennessy has been on IR since Nov. 8, but it appears he will likely be designated to return in the very near future, which will allow him to return to practice. Whether he'll be ready to suit up Sunday against the Saints or need more time to recover is still unknown.
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Falcons' Matt Hennessy: Closer to return
Hennessy (knee) was designated to return from IR on Monday, Ashton Edmunds reports.
Hennessy has been on IR since Nov. 8, and this move will open up a 21-day practice window for the 25-year-old. Although, he could return as soon as Sunday against New Orleans, it's unclear if his move back to the 53-man roster will happen that swiftly.
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Falcons' Matt Hennessy: Headed to IR with knee injury
Atlanta placed Hennessy (knee) on its injured reserve list Tuesday ahead of Thursday's game at Carolina.
Hennessy was forced out of Sunday's loss versus the Chargers early with a knee injury, and he'll now be required to miss at least four games as he recovers. In the meantime, Ryan Neuzil is expected to start at left guard for the Falcons.
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Falcons' Matt Hennessy: Out for TNF
Head coach Arthur Smith said Monday that Hennessy (knee) won't play in Thursday's game against the Panthers, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reports.
Hennessy departed Sunday's loss to the Chargers with an apparent knee injury, and he's since been ruled out for Thursday's matchup versus Carolina. Ryan Neuzil is slated to operate as Atlanta's starting left guard while the 24-year-old remains sidelined.
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Falcons' Matt Hennessy: Questionable to return Sunday
Hennessy is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Chargers with a knee injury, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.
Hennessy sustained an apparent knee injury during Sunday's contest versus the Chargers and has since been labeled questionable to return. Ryan Neuzil is in line to replace the 24-year-old at left guard for the time being.
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Falcons' Matt Hennessy: Starts at center Weeks 16 and 17
Hennessy registered his second consecutive start during Atlanta's 44-27 Week 17 loss to the Buccaneers, concluding his 2020 campaign with 13 game appearances.
With Alex Mack (concussion/illness) ruled out for Weeks 16 and 17, Hennessy logged the first two starts of his NFL career. The Temple standout joined Atlanta as a third-round draft choice in last April's draft, and he could inherit a more integral role in 2021, given that Mack will become an unrestricted free agent in March.
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Falcons' Matt Hennessy: Ready to go for Week 1
Hennessy does not carry an injury designation going into Week 1, and coach Dan Quinn said that the rookie will be in a rotation at left guard with James Carpenter, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com reports.
The third-round pick from Temple has shifted away from his collegiate position, as he is instead expected to make most of his offensive contributions at guard this season with Alex Mack holding down the center position. A knee injury suffered during an intrasquad scrimmage Aug. 28 sidelined Hennessy for over a week, but he is now running at full speed and expected to fill an important role Sunday against the Seahawks.
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Falcons' Matt Hennessy: Full-go at practice
Hennessy (knee) was a full participant at Wednesday's practice, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com reports.
Hennessy hurt his knee during an intra-squad scrimmage toward the end of training camp, but he's shaken it off heading into Week 1. A third-round selection in April's draft, Hennessy is expected to be the primary backup for James Carpenter and Chris Lindstrom on the offensive line.
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Falcons' Matt Hennessy: Out for third straight practice
Hennessy (knee) was a non-participant during Atlanta's practice session Wednesday, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
The rookie lineman banged his knee and subsequently was pulled from Friday's scrimmage as a "precaution." Since that point, Hennessy's return to full-contact drills has been delayed, as he's now wearing a brace on his right knee and has logged three consecutive missed practices. It is a positive sign, at least, that Hennessy has been working through mechanics on his own while watching teammates complete drills in practice, per Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com. With Hennessy remaining on the shelf for the time being, the likelihood of James Carpenter being the Week 1 starter at left guard is enhanced.
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Falcons' Matt Hennessy: Bangs knee, expected to be fine
Hennessy hit his knee during the Falcons' scrimmage Friday, and he was held out for the remainder of the practice as a precautionary measure, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com reports.
The rookie was replaced by veteran James Carpenter at left guard, as the Falcons want to avoid taking unnecessary injury risks at this stage of the season. Hennessy and Carpenter continue to be the top two contenders to fill the left guard spot after that position proved to be one of the weak points of the line in 2019. It doesn't appear Hennessy will miss substantial time beyond Friday, if any at all, and he remains firmly in the mix to start Week 1 against the Seahawks.
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Falcons' Matt Hennessy: Suiting up with first team
Hennessy lined up with the first-team offense during the Falcons' first intra-squad scrimmage Thursday, and he has been working with that group ever since, Will McFadden of the Falcons' official site reports.
The rookie out of Temple may eventually become the Falcons' solution at center, but with a veteran talent in Alex Mack already well situated at that spot, Hennessy has a chance to provide immediate utility by lining up at left guard. Atlanta let go of veteran guard Jamon Brown on Monday, and so far James Carpenter has been unable to overtake Hennessy for the spot. While reports have been encouraging on Hennessy so far, coach Dan Quinn did note that his sample size of work has been limited. "I would say we're only two practices with pads in," Quinn stressed. "But he's certainly doing a good job with where we're at.
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Falcons' Matt Hennessy: In mix to start at left guard
Hennessy is expected to compete for Atlanta's starting left guard spot once in-person team activities commence, Will McFadden of the Falcons' official site reports.
Hennessy lined up at center during his career at Temple, but given that James Carpenter struggled through injuries and ineffectiveness during his debut campaign with the Falcons, all bets are off as to who will ultimately earn the starting nod at left guard. The rookie may end up back at center eventually, but with Alex Mack currently holding the position down, Hennessy's talents may be needed elsewhere in the more immediate term. A shortened in-person offseason program lessens the rookie's chances at being a Week 1 starter, but if he can impress during an abbreviated camp, Hennessy may find himself in the lineup sooner rather than later.
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Player Bio
| HT/WT: 6-3, 307 lbs |
| Birthplace: Nyack, NY |
| Age: 25 |
| School: Temple |
| Experience: 4 |