Falcons Linebacker Pearce Jr. Deemed Questionable After Back Injury
The Atlanta Falcons also confirmed Brian Robinson Jr. will miss his third straight game as they prepare for a matchup in Madrid.
By Ariana Flores ·
James Pearce Jr. was designated as questionable on Friday after suffering a back injury during practice. The outside linebacker is expected to play his first game of the season on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals. Pearce had completed an eight-game suspension before the incident occurred. The Atlanta Falcons will face the Bengals at 9:30 a.m. EST inside Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid.
Coach Raheem Morris said the team has a few hours to evaluate the injury. He noted that Pearce is a guy who has been in the lineup for a long time. The coaching staff will monitor the player closely in the coming days to determine his status. Pearce was limited in his Friday workout following the setback.
The Falcons also finalized their roster moves for the weekend contest. Running back Brian Robinson Jr. will miss his third consecutive game due to a hamstring injury. The team announced the update on Friday afternoon. Robinson has been out since early in the season and is expected to remain off the field for Sunday.
Khalil Herbert, who was elevated from the practice squad for the last two weeks, is projected to start again. The Falcons have used Herbert to fill the void left by Robinson. This pattern appears likely to continue against the Bengals. Herbert has provided stability at the position while the primary back recovers.
Receiver Zachariah Branch was ruled out earlier in the week for the Madrid game. His absence adds to the list of players unavailable for the matchup. The Falcons will lean on their remaining depth to cover the missing spots. The team aims to maintain its offensive rhythm despite the personnel changes.
The game marks the Falcons' second international appearance in recent history. Playing in Europe presents a different challenge for both teams. The Falcons will look to secure a win in front of a large crowd. The outcome will be decided on the field in Madrid.
The Bengals arrive in Spain with their own injury concerns. Both teams are managing their rosters carefully leading up to the contest. The Falcons will make their final active roster decisions by the deadline. The game will be a test of depth and preparation for both squads.
