The Atlanta Falcons are preparing for potential changes to their offensive line ahead of Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts. Head coach Raheem Morris indicated that Kyle Hinton will likely play at left guard, as starter Matthew Bergeron is considered week-to-week after injuring his ankle during last Sunday’s loss to the New England Patriots. Bergeron exited after three snaps, with Hinton playing the remaining 53.
“If Berg can’t go, Hinton has always been the next man up,” Morris said. “He’s been in that next-man-up mentality for us for a while. He has started and played in a couple games for us here and within the same system. He’s been around for a while.
“It’s the reason you sign those kind of guys, because you got so much trust and belief in those guys to go out there and get it done when you need to get it done.”
Hinton joined Atlanta in 2023 and has played in 41 games, including eight this season. He previously started at right guard in Week 15 of his first year when Chris Lindstrom was sidelined with an ankle injury.
Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson expressed confidence in Hinton’s abilities: “I thought he did a good job once he settled into the game the other day,” Robinson said. “He’s obviously a big body in there. You feel the stoutness that he has in pass protection. You feel him in the run game as well. So, we got a ton of confidence in Kyle.”
Morris also praised Hinton’s performance, as did Hinton himself: “I mean, it’s weird,” Hinton said. “You don’t get a lot of the reps with the 1s in practice. You know how it goes, being a backup and stuff. Then, just being forced out there pretty early in the game. So, overall, I think pretty good. A couple different miscues and stuff; that’s on me. But I’m excited to get out there this week and show more of what I can do.”
There is uncertainty regarding starting right guard Chris Lindstrom’s availability due to a foot injury sustained late against New England; Morris described Lindstrom as day-to-day but remained optimistic about his return.
Meanwhile, offensive lineman Storm Norton’s recovery from injured reserve appears uncertain after missing recent practices despite being designated to return on October 22.
“We’ll kind of fill you in more there as we get more information,” Morris said regarding Norton’s status. “Obviously gathering and talking to our medical people, we’ll get a feel. But it wasn’t great news. It’s something that I don’t want to speak in all the full medical terms until I talk to our guys about it and what we’re going to do. We’ll have to figure it out.”
Norton underwent ankle surgery on August 20 and was placed on injured reserve shortly thereafter; since returning to practice he has been listed with a foot injury.
The Falcons have also been without starting right tackle Kaleb McGary since the beginning of the season due to a leg injury that led to his placement on season-ending injured reserve; Elijah Wilkinson has filled his position.
Jake Matthews remains at left tackle while Ryan Neuzil starts at center for Atlanta. The team added Andrew Stueber this week as another depth option alongside Michael Jerrell, Jovaughn Gwyn, and Jack Nelson.
“Stueber does a bunch of different things for us as well,” Morris said. “Stueber was able to play a little guard, do a little swing tackle for us, do a bunch of different things for us. So, that versatility that Storm provided us, we know we can get some of that stuff from Stueber.”
