Falcons face injury woes vs. Colts; Bergeron unlikely, Lindstrom day-to-day

The Atlanta Falcons face significant offensive line challenges heading into their upcoming game against the Indianapolis Colts in Berlin.

Why it matters: The health of the Falcons' offensive line is crucial as they prepare to face a strong Colts defense that thrives on pressuring quarterbacks and stopping the run.

With starting left guard Matthew Bergeron listed as "week-to-week" with an ankle injury—sustained during the game against the New England Patriots—his availability for the matchup remains uncertain. Coach Raheem Morris commented, “The possibility of Atlanta's starting left guard playing Sunday... doesn’t look good.”

What’s new: The Falcons have already lost right tackle Kaleb McGary for the season due to a knee injury, further complicating their offensive line depth.

• Storm Norton, who was expected to provide additional support at tackle, has missed the entire season following ankle surgery.
• In response, Kyle Hinton will step in as the starter for Bergeron, while Elijah Wilkinson takes over at right tackle.

By the numbers: The Falcons currently rank 11th in the NFL with a 66% pass block win rate but struggle significantly in the run game, holding the 29th position with only a 69% run block win rate.

• This imbalance may hinder their ability to effectively utilize running back Bijan Robinson, who has been held under 50 rushing yards in the past three weeks.
• The effectiveness of the ground game will be vital against a Colts team looking to capitalize on any offensive weaknesses.

What to watch: As the game approaches, the status of Chris Lindstrom becomes increasingly important. He is day-to-day with a foot injury, but Morris expressed optimism about his potential to play, stating, “I feel really good about Chris, his potential [to play].”

• Lindstrom’s presence would not only bolster the pass protection but also provide essential support to the Falcons’ struggling run game.

Yes, but: Even with a potentially healthy Lindstrom, the overall cohesion of the offensive line remains a concern. The frequent changes could disrupt the timing and chemistry crucial for executing head coach Arthur Smith’s offensive schemes.

The bottom line: The Falcons’ success against the Colts will heavily depend on their ability to adapt to these injuries and leverage their remaining offensive resources. A strong performance from the offensive line will be necessary to protect quarterback Desmond Ridder and open lanes for Robinson, ultimately determining their chances of victory in this critical matchup.