Falcons defensive end James Pearce Jr. did not participate in Wednesday’s practice, signaling a continued struggle with back tightness that has hampered his early return to the field. Pearce made his season debut on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals after serving an eight-game suspension, but his impact was severely curtailed. The veteran pass rusher managed only 15 snaps in the loss, a significant drop from his usual workload, as the coaching staff moved cautiously to protect him from further injury.
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The absence of Pearce is a notable setback for Atlanta’s defensive front, which is already dealing with a wave of injuries that disrupted the entire roster. The Falcons also practiced without wide receiver Zachariah Branch (hamstring), linebacker Josh Woods (ankle), and defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr. (illness). This cluster of absences complicates the coaching staff’s ability to establish defensive rhythm and offensive depth as the team prepares for its next fixture.
Linebacker Divine Deablo, who played through arm tightness against Cincinnati with his arm wrapped, was limited in Wednesday’s session. The limited participation of Deablo adds another layer of concern for a defense that is currently missing key rotational pieces. As the Falcons look to stabilize their unit, the health of Pearce and Deablo will be critical factors in determining their defensive effectiveness in the coming weeks.
Source: Yahoo Sports
