ATLANTA – For the first time this season, the Falcons have kept rookie defensive lineman Ruke Orhorhoro active on game day. After being drafted in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, Orhorhoro had yet to make his regular season debut with the Falcons as he was listed as a healthy scratch through the first four games of the season. That status changed for the Falcons’ Thursday Night Football game with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Due to his active status, the Falcons had to make a decision on who to keep inactive in his place. That would turn out to be fellow defensive lineman Kentavius ​​Street. Street has played a rotational role in the Falcons’ first four games of the season, playing between 26 and 31% of the Falcons’ defensive snaps. He has recorded a total of four tackles within those reps.

Fellow rookie defensive lineman Brandon Dorlus did not actively join Orhorhoro, nor did running back Jase McClellan.

As a reminder, the Falcons have already ruled out inside linebacker Troy Andersen from Thursday night’s game. He suffered a knee injury during Atlanta’s win over the Saints last Sunday. He did not participate in practice or walkthrough this week, with Raheem Morris officially ruling him out on Wednesday. With Nate Landman still on injured reserve, rookie inside linebacker JD Bertrand is expected to start alongside Kaden Elliss.

On the other side of the ball, the Falcons signed guard/center Matt Hennessy from the practice squad earlier in the day Thursday. With right tackle Kaleb McGary returning from a knee injury that kept him out of last Sunday’s game, the Falcons have a good offensive line for Thursday night. That’s why they opted to keep interior lineman Elijah Wilkinson inactive, along with Jovaughn Gwyn.

Here is the Falcons’ full list of inactives ahead of Thursday night’s game: