FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The resurgent Atlanta Falcons decided, for the most part, to stand pat on Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline day.
The Redskins’ Sunday opponent signed veteran offensive tackle Zane Beadles off the street, but otherwise will arrive at FedEx Field as the same banged-up team that is riding a two-game winning streak after starting 1-4.
Coach Dan Quinn said the Falcons are confident with the roster they have.
“We really feel this team, where we’re at and how we can go and attack from here, we have the right men to do that,” Quinn said after Monday’s practice when asked about the trade deadline.
That’s notable, coming from the coach of a team with six starters on injured reserve — including both safeties and both offensive guards.
Quinn said he and general manager Thomas Dimitroff discussed inquiries from other teams but weren’t interested in the trade options that came up.
Quinn and Dimitroff have been kept busy this season adjusting to the growing list of players lost with injuries.
The latest challenge comes on the offensive line.
Right guard Brandon Fusco suffered a broken right ankle in Atlanta’s win over the New York Giants on Oct. 22 and was placed on injured reserve last week. Fusco joined left guard Andy Levitre on IR. Levitre suffered a season-ending triceps injury in a Week 2 win over Carolina.
Wes Schweitzer has filled in for Levitre. Another veteran with starting experience, Ben Garland, will move up this week to replace Fusco at right guard.
Beadles, who spent the last two seasons with San Francisco following a combined six seasons as a starter with Denver and Jacksonville, should add some needed depth. The 2012 Pro Bowl selection with the Broncos was released by the 49ers before the season.
The patchwork line will face an immediate challenge against a Redskins defense that sacked Giants quarterback Eli Manning seven times in Sunday’s 20-13 win.
“I was very impressed with the stoutness of their inside three guys,” Quinn said, naming nose tackle Daron Payne and defensive ends Matt Ioannidis and Jonathan Allen. Ioannidis had 21/2 sacks against the Giants.
Garland, who started three games last season, has experience at both guard spots and even has seen spot duty at defensive tackle.
“I’m confident playing left (guard),” Garland said. “I’m confident playing right. Center. It doesn’t matter. Tight end, fullback. Put me anywhere. I’m ready to go.”
The Falcons added more depth by signing Rees Odhiambo and Austin Pasztor during their bye week. Pasztor, who can play either tackle position, played in seven games with Atlanta in 2017. Odhiambo, who will learn the offense while playing left guard, spent the last four weeks on the Colts practice squad.
Fusco is Atlanta’s sixth player to be placed on IR this season, joining Levitre, safeties Keanu Neal and Ricardo Allen, linebacker Deion Jones and running back Devonta Freeman. Jones, who must sit out at least two more games, and Freeman could return later this season.
Quinn said the bye week also came at a good time for wide receivers Mohamed Sanu (hip) and Calvin Ridley (ankle). “That’s the good news,” Quinn said.
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