Falcons Interview Eagles' Brian Johnson for Coaching Gig

A Falcons and Panthers winning combination will clinch the NFC South for Atlanta.

DEC 27 KOO WINS WEEKLY AWARD The ever-consistent Younghoe Koo earned another notch under his belt, as the NFL named the Atlanta Falcons kicker the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week on Wednesday.

In Sunday's 29-10 win over the Indianapolis Colts, Koo made all five of his field goals, with the longest coming from 47 yards out, and both PATs. His five field goals on the day tie a career-high in a single game.

This is the second time Koo has won the award this season. He previously won it in Week 7 after making three field goals, including a 51-yard game-winner as time expired, against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

In 15 games this season, Koo has made 30 of 33 field goals and 23 of 24 extra points.

DEC 19 FALCONS RELEASE ROOKIE The Atlanta Falcons announced on Tuesday that they have released rookie defensive lineman Travis Bell after just two games with the club. A day later, Bell was picked up by the Cincinnati Bengals off waivers.

Bell was a seventh-round pick by the Chicago Bears in April's draft and ended up on their practice squad after roster cutdown day. The Falcons then signed him to their active roster on Oct. 31, and he appeared in the team's last two games while recording a tackle in each. 

DEC 15 HURST OUT FOR SEASON Despite the news about Hayden Hurst's post-traumatic amnesia and working towards returning, the former Atlanta Falcons tight end is being shut down for the season.

According to The Athletic's Joe Person, the Carolina Panthers are placing Hurst on injured reserve, ending his 2023 season.

The Falcons and Panthers are set to kick off Sunday at 1 p.m. ET inside Bank of America Stadium.

DEC 13 BATES LEADING PRO BOWL VOTES Atlanta Falcons defensive back Jessie Bates III could be well on his way to his first Pro Bowl.

Bates is leading all NFC safeties in Pro Bowl voting, according to the NFL.

Bates has recorded 101 tackles, five interceptions and a touchdown in his first season with the Falcons.

DEC 10 RIDDER GO-AHEAD TD After trailing by two scores in the fourth quarter, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder ran the ball in from six yards out to take the lead against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Ridder then found receiver Drake London for the 2-point conversion to take a 25-22 lead with 3:23 to go in the game.

DEC 7 HURST GIVES RETURN UPDATE Despite the news about Hayden Hurst's post-traumatic amnesia, the former Atlanta Falcons tight end is working towards returning to action this week.

The Falcons play the Carolina Panthers in Week 15 at Bank of America Stadium.

DEC 6 PRAYERS FOR HURST Current Carolina Panthers tight end Hayden Hurst has been diagnosed with post-traumatic amnesia following a big hit he took in their Week 10 loss to the Chicago Bears, per a tweet from his father, Jerry Hurst. 

"[Hurst] has been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Amnesia by an independent neurologist as a result of the hit he took in Chicago November 9," Jerry Hurst wrote in a tweet on Wednesday. "Slow recovery, don’t know when he’ll be back. Prayers appreciated!"

After spending the first two years of his career with the Baltimore Ravens, the former 2018 first-round pick out of South Carolina was traded to the Falcons ahead of the 2020 season. From there, Hurst would total 792 yards and nine touchdowns during two seasons in Atlanta before spending last year with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Hurst was in the midst of his fifth year in the league, where he had totaled 184 yards and a touchdown on 18 receptions in nine games for the Panthers.

DEC 5 JETS CUT BOYLE AFTER FALCONS START Tim Boyle is looking for a new job after his second start of the season against the Atlanta Falcons.

According to NFL insider Josina Anderson, the New York Jets are cutting Boyle after he was benched in Sunday's loss against the Falcons.

Boyle completed 14 of 25 passes for 148 yards and an interception against the Falcons.

DEC 3 TERRELL LEAVES WITH INJURY Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the New York Jets after exiting with a head injury.

Terrell suffered the injury after a helmet-to-helmet hit on Jets running back Breece Hall on New York's first offensive drive in the first quarter.

He remained down on the field for multiple minutes before walking off under his own power and entering the blue tent. He later walked to the locker room.

In Terrell's absence, fourth-round rookie cornerback Clark Phillips III has taken the field.

DEC 1 KOO IN THE RECORD BOOKS Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo is now atop the all-time leaderboard for field goal percentage.

Koo surpassed Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker, who dipped just below 90 percent after missing a field goal in Week 12 against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Koo is at 90 percent even and looks to improve that mark Sunday when the Falcons visit the New York Jets. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET.