Player News
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Bates recorded eight total tackles (six solo) during Thursday night's 29-28 win over the Buccaneers. After recording just six total tackles in the Falcons' previous two games, Bates returned to his usual output in Thursday's win. The veteran safety finished with the second-most tackles on Atlanta's defense, trailing Xavier Watts' nine-stop performance. Bates has played in all 14 of the Falcons' games this season, recording 85 total tackles, four passes defensed, including two interceptions, and one forced fumble. He's expected to remain one of the team's top defensive playmakers in the Week 16 matchup against the Cardinals.
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Bates recorded eight tackles (six solo) during the Falcons' 30-27 overtime loss to the Panthers on Sunday. Bates played every single defensive snap for a third consecutive game (and eighth time this season) and finished second on the Falcons in tackles behind Ronnie Harrison (11). Bates is up to 64 tackles (32 solo), three pass defenses (two interceptions) and a forced fumble through 10 regular-season games.
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Bates (knee) was a limited practice participant Thursday, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports. Bates first hurt his knee in Week 8 against Miami. He was able to play through the injury this past Sunday against New England and didn't miss a defensive snap. Bates then opened this week with a full practice session but was back on the injury report due to the knee issue as a limited participant Thursday. The Falcons are flying to Berlin, Germany on Thursday night for their Week 10 matchup against Indianapolis but will still hold a practice Friday, per Terrin Waack of the Falcons' official site. Bates' level of participation in that session should determine whether he'll head into the weekend with an injury designation.
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Bates (knee) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Patriots, Marc Raimondi of ESPN.com reports. Bates was a limited practice participant all week after sustaining a knee injury in the Falcons' Week 8 loss to the Dolphins. He's yet to miss a game this season, recording 45 total tackles through Atlanta's first seven games. However, if Bates is sidelined in Week 9, expect Jordan Fuller to start alongside Xavier Watts in the Falcons' secondary.
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Bates (knee) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice. Bates sustained a knee injury during the Falcons' Week 8 loss against the Dolphins, but the veteran safety relayed after Thursday's practice that he feels confident that he'll be cleared to play against the Patriots on Sunday. Without the 2018 second-rounder, the Falcons would have to turn to either Jordan Fuller or DeMarcco Hellams to start at safety alongside Xavier Watts. Bates has tallied at least five tackles in six of the first seven games of the regular season, and his 45 stops is second most on the Falcons behind Kaden Elliss (48).
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Completed Games
| WK | OPP | TK | SACK | INT | FF | DFR | DFTD | PDEF | FPTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | TB | 2.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | @MIN | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | @CAR | 3.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | WAS | 4.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | BYE | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 6 | BUF | 3.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 7 | @SF | 4.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 8 | MIA | 2.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 9 | @NE | 1.0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| 10 | @IND | 6.0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| 11 | CAR | 6.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 12 | @NO | 6.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 13 | @NYJ | 3.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | SEA | 2.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 15 | @TB | 6.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 16 | @ARI | 2.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Scheduled Games
| WK | DATE | OPP | OPP RANK |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | 12/29 | Los Angeles | 30 |
| 18 | 01/04 | New Orleans | 7 |