Falcons Make Key Roster Moves as Dolphins Visit Atlanta

The Atlanta Falcons made significant roster adjustments Saturday ahead of their Week 8 matchup with the Miami Dolphins, promoting linebacker Ronnie Harrison from the practice squad while activating safety Jordan Fuller from injured reserve. These moves address a critical void created by inside linebacker Divine Deablo's placement on injured reserve with a fractured forearm.

Harrison Gets His Opportunity

For the former Alabama standout, this promotion represents a chance to contribute at a critical juncture in the Falcons' season. Harrison, who last played in Week 18 of the 2024 season for the Indianapolis Colts, brings seven years of NFL experience across three teams, with 48 career starts and 84 appearances.

What makes Harrison's elevation particularly noteworthy is his transition from safety to linebacker. While he played safety at Alabama and for most of his professional career, he has recently adapted to the inside linebacker position with the Falcons.

"Harrison has transitioned to inside linebacker, and the Falcons promoted him from the practice squad with inside linebacker Divine Deablo going on injured reserve," according to reports from the team's official transactions.

The Deablo Dilemma

Deablo's injury represents a significant loss for Atlanta's defense. The offseason acquisition had become a vital piece of the Falcons' defensive puzzle through six games, contributing 24 tackles, one sack assist, a fumble recovery, and four pass breakups. His versatility and presence in the middle of the field made him an integral part of defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich's scheme.

Head coach Raheem Morris indicated Monday that Deablo would be "week-to-week" with his injury, and by Wednesday, Morris suggested it was "very possible" the linebacker would land on injured reserve—a prediction that came to fruition by Saturday.

To fill the void, the Falcons will employ a committee approach. JD Bertrand, who made one tackle against San Francisco before Deablo's exit, tied for the game lead with 10 tackles after taking over. Bertrand acknowledged the adjustment, noting it would "be nice to focus a little bit more on a single position and really kind of get into those details."

Fuller Returns to Strengthen Secondary

The activation of Jordan Fuller from injured reserve provides a timely boost to Atlanta's secondary. Fuller, who was designated to return on October 16, has been a full participant in practice since his 21-day window opened. The veteran safety played just one defensive and 16 special teams snaps in the Falcons' Week 1 loss to Tampa Bay before suffering a knee injury that sidelined him for six weeks.

Fuller's return adds veteran experience and versatility to a secondary that has performed admirably in his absence. The Falcons currently boast the NFL's best pass defense, allowing just 144.5 passing yards per game—a remarkable achievement for a unit featuring two rookie safeties in Xavier Watts and Billy Bowman Jr.

Dolphins Bring Their Own Challenges

The timing of these roster moves proves crucial as Atlanta prepares to face a Miami offense that, despite recent struggles, possesses explosive playmakers. Running back De'Von Achane and wide receiver Jaylen Waddle have combined for 1,088 yards from scrimmage this season, accounting for 53 percent of the team's total yardage.

Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver offered high praise for Falcons running back Bijan Robinson, comparing him to NFL legends: "I think I see a little bit of Chris Johnson when you see him in terms of his all-purpose yards. How quickly when he makes his decision that he wants to get downhill, how fast he does that and his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield, too. Maybe a little bit of Marshall Faulk in there."

London's Absence Changes Atlanta's Attack

In a late development, the Falcons ruled out star wide receiver Drake London due to a hip injury. London, who had been limited in Friday's practice, was initially expected to play before being downgraded to questionable Saturday and ultimately declared inactive Sunday morning.

London's absence removes Atlanta's leading receiver from an offense that relies heavily on his versatility. The USC product lines up everywhere, splitting his time almost evenly across the slot, out wide, and attached to the line of scrimmage. His ability to win from multiple alignments makes him a difficult matchup for any defense.

Without London, the Falcons will likely lean more heavily on tight end Kyle Pitts, who is enjoying the best start of his career, and running back Bijan Robinson, who has forced a league-leading 46 missed tackles this season.

Defensive Philosophy Under Ulbrich

The Falcons' defensive transformation under Jeff Ulbrich has been remarkable. After hiring the former Jets defensive coordinator and interim head coach this offseason, Atlanta invested heavily in pass rush talent, signing outside linebacker Dante Fowler and drafting edge rushers Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. in the first round.

This aggressive approach shows in the numbers: the Falcons blitz at an NFL-high rate of 39.8 percent. While the pressure statistics remain middle-of-the-pack—tied for 14th in sacks and 24th in pressure rate—the unit's effectiveness in coverage has been elite.

The secondary's success stems from a combination of veteran leadership and hungry young talent. The unit's versatility mirrors the offense's philosophy: multiple players capable of performing multiple roles at a consistently high level.

Looking Ahead

As the Falcons navigate these roster adjustments, the organization's depth and adaptability face a critical test. Harrison must quickly acclimate to his expanded role, while Fuller needs to shake off the rust from his extended absence. Bertrand and the committee of linebackers must prove capable of maintaining the defensive standard Deablo helped establish.

For a Falcons team with playoff aspirations, these next few weeks will reveal whether Atlanta's "next man up" philosophy can sustain their success or if the loss of key contributors will expose vulnerabilities that opponents can exploit.

The 1 p.m. ET kickoff at Mercedes-Benz Stadium will provide the first answers to these questions, as a desperate Dolphins team looks to salvage their season against a Falcons squad determined to prove their depth can overcome adversity.