Alford (hamstring) was listed as a full participant on Thursday's practice report, Daniel Flick of SI.com reports.
Alford was limited in Wednesday's practice due to a hamstring injury that forced him to be sidelined against the Broncos in Week 11, but he looks to be on track to play Sunday against the Chargers. Through 10 regular-season games, Alford has logged 54 tackles (43 solo), including 1.0 sacks, and six passes defensed.
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Falcons' Dee Alford: Opens week with limited work
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Alford (hamstring) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Daniel Flick of SI.com reports.
Alford was sidelined for Atlanta's Week 11 loss to the Broncos after sustaining a hamstring injury the game prior. He had some additional recovery time with the Falcons' Week 12 bye; however, Wednesday's limited session suggests he's still dealing with the issue. Alford's practice participation Thursday and Friday will offer the best insight into whether he can return for Sunday's matchup against the Chargers.
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Falcons' Dee Alford: Out for Sunday
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Head coach Raheem Morris told reporters Friday that Alford (hamstring) won't play in Sunday's matchup against the Broncos, Amna Subhan of the Falcons' official site reports.
Alford's absence Sunday comes as no surprise, as the Tusculum product was unable to practice all week after sustaining a hamstring injury in the Falcons' Week 10 loss to the Saints. Atlanta's cornerback room is expected to be headlined by A.J. Terrell, Kevin King and Clark Phillips with Alford, Mike Hughes (neck) and Antonio Hamilton (pectoral) all sidelined for Week 11.
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Falcons' Dee Alford: DNP on Wednesday
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Alford (hamstring) didn't practice Wednesday.
Alford played just 21 total snaps (15 defensive and six on special teams) and recorded one tackle before exiting Sunday's loss to the Saints with a hamstring injury. If 27-year-old is unable to upgrade to at least limited participation either Thursday or Friday, he'll likely miss the Falcons' Week 11 matchup against the Broncos.
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Falcons' Dee Alford: Healthy for Week 6
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Alford (concussion) holds no injury designation for Sunday's game against Carolina.
Alford left last Thursday's matchup against the Buccaneers early with a concussion, but it appears he's healed and ready to take on the Panthers this Sunday. The 5-foot-11 cornerback has 29 tackles (22 solo), including 1.0 sacks, and two passes defended so far this season.
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Falcons' Dee Alford: Limited Wednesday
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Alford (concussion) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.
Alford was placed in concussion protocol after sustaining a head injury in the first quarter of the Falcons' Week 5 win over the Buccaneers, so Wednesday's limited session comes as no surprise. The 26-year-old cornerback will still need to clear the NFL's five-step concussion process in order to suit up for Sunday's matchup against the Panthers.
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Falcons' Dee Alford: Enters protocol
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Alford was placed in the concussion protocol after suffering a head injury in last Thursday's 36-30 win over the Buccaneers, Marc Raimondi of ESPN.com reports.
Alford suffered the injury in the first quarter and was not allowed to return to the game. In his absence, Antonio Hamilton took over slot corner duties and recorded two combined tackles. Hamilton will likely be tasked with that role again if Alford doesn't get clearance to suit up for Sunday's game against the Panthers.
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Falcons' Dee Alford: Departs Thursday with head injury
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Alford is being evaluated for a concussion and is questionable to return to Thursday's contest versus Tampa Bay, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
Alford was hurt in the first quarter while making a tackle of Chris Godwin. Antonio Hamilton entered as the Falcons' nickel corner in Alford's stead and will likely be asked to hold down that role if the latter is unable to return.
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Falcons' Dee Alford: Tallies 10 tackles Week 3
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Alford finished Sunday's 22-17 loss to Kansas City with 10 tackles (seven solo).
Alford was the second-leading scorer for the Falcons on Sunday behind Troy Andersen (12). After playing just 29 defensive snaps in Week 1 against the Steelers, Alford has played 98 snaps on defense over the last two regular season games and has established himself as the slot corner alongside starters A.J. Terrell and Mike Hughes. Alford has 17 tackles (12 solo) and one pass defended through the first three games of the year.
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Falcons' Dee Alford: Nonfactor down the stretch
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Alford finished 2023 with 41 tackles (25 solo), six pass defenses and one fumble recovery in 16 appearances. He also recorded 13 kick-return yards and 160 punt-return yards.
After being a regular defensive contributor for the first 14 weeks of the season, Alford was relegated to primarily operating on special teams over the final four games. He's under contract for one more season, but if the Falcons make any additions to their secondary this offseason, Alford's defensive role could become obsolete in 2024.
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Falcons' Dee Alford: Ruled out for Week 10
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Alford (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's Week 10 game against the Cardinals.
Alford got in a limited practice Thursday but was downgraded to DNP again Friday. Alford picked up the injury in Week 9. With the second-year cornerback out, the Falcons will need to replace his 71 percent playing time clip in the secondary. They have a number of different options.
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Falcons' Dee Alford: Misses practice
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Alford (ankle) did not practice Wednesday, Terrin Waack of the Falcons' official site reports.
Alford exited Sunday's game against the Vikings with the injury and should currently be considered questionable for Week 10 against the Cardinals. If he is unable to play, Clark Phillips will likely handle nickel corner duties, while Mike Hughes and Cordarrelle Patterson (ankle) would be candidates to handle return duties.
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Falcons' Dee Alford: Splits punt-return duties
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Alford recorded six tackles (four solo) during Sunday's 24-10 win over the Panthers.
Alford was solid as the team's top slot cornerback, finishing fifth on the team in tackles. However, his presence as a punt returner is also noteworthy. With Avery Williams, who handled punts in 2022, out for the year after tearing his ACL during an offseason workout, the Falcons are looking for someone to take hold of that position. Alford returned a punt for a touchdown during the preseason, but he split duties with Scotty Miller during the regular-season opener.
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Falcons' Dee Alford: Returns punt for TD in opener
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Alford recorded one pass defense across 13 defensive snaps and returned a punt for a 79-yard touchdown during Friday's preseason opener against the Dolphins.
Alford, a 2022 undrafted free agent, saw expanded work as a rookie when Atlanta was dealing with numerous injuries to its secondary last year. He totaled 25 tackles, seven pass defenses, an interception and 0.5 sacks across 16 appearances (238 defensive snaps). Alford is battling for a roster spot in 2023, but he has a chance to carve out a role with Clark Phillips (leg) and Jeff Okudah (ankle) currently sidelined. Alford will also compete with newcomer Mike Hughes for punt-return duties, as Avery Williams, who handled punts in 2022, is out for the year after tearing his ACL during offseason workouts.
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Falcons' Dee Alford: Labeled day-to-day by coach
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Alford (hamstring) is considered day-to-day, per coach Arthur Smith, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.
Alford exited Atlanta's Week 7 loss to the Bengals due to the injury, but it sounds like he may not need to miss much additional time. His participation level in practice leading up to the Falcons' Week 8 matchup with Carolina should help dictate Alford's availability. The Falcons can ill afford to have him miss much time with fellow cornerback A.J. Terrell (hamstring) labeled week-to-week.
