NFL Trade Rumors: Atlanta Falcons Listening to ‘Everything’ After Grady Jarrett Injury
The Atlanta Falcons were dealt a big blow in their 28-23 loss to the Tennessee Titans, losing star defensive tackle and team captain Grady Jarrett to what is now known as a torn ACL.
The 30-year-old was eight games into his eighth season as a pro, and despite the offseason spending spree from the Falcons last offseason, he was still a major player on defense. Jarrett totaled 23 tackles, eight quarterback hits, two tackles for loss, and one-and-a-half sacks in the eight games he had played this season before the season-ending injury that he suffered just four snaps into Sunday’s game.
With Jarrett now expected to miss the rest of the season, questions of how the injury could affect the Falcons NFL trade deadline strategy, if at all.
“It’s our job to listen to everything, whether Grady was healthy or not,” Falcons coach Arthur Smith said about Jarret’s injury coming right before the deadline.
As reported by Pro Football Talk on Sunday, we already know that the Falcons were in talks with the Washington Commanders about acquiring edge rusher Montez Sweat. Per the report, the Falcons had firm conversations with a trade package, including Atlanta giving up a third-round pick.
Any trade involving Sweat would be more about Atlanta shoring up its pass rush by acquiring a productive young edge rusher, which likely will not change post-injury for Jarrett.
However, without Jarrett, who has featured heavily as a traditional defensive tackle this season for the Falcons, they could be looking for more help on the interior.
Yet, with the offseason additions of David Onyemata and Calais Campbell, the Falcons are in a much better position to deal with Jarrett’s absence than in years past. Both Campbell and Onyemata will likely see an increase in snaps, while the Falcons will also turn to their younger players like Ta’Quon Graham and LaCale London to fill in.
