Prepping for backup role
Heinicke said his goal is to be "the best backup I can" behind fellow Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder, Josh Kendall of The Athletic reports. "They drafted [Ridder] high for a reason," Heinicke added Thursday afternoon.
The catch is that Atlanta didn't draft Ridder all that early (74th overall), while Heinicke's two-year, $14 million contract ($6.32 million guaranteed) makes him one of the better-compensated backups in the league. The team was clear with Heinicke about Ridder being the starter, which figures to carry into Week 1, but that doesn't necessarily mean the second-year pro will have a lot of leeway if he struggles once the season starts. Heinicke's stats from Washington -- 64.0 completion rate, 7.0 YPA, 33:21 TD:INT, 12-11-1 record -- give him a strong argument to be viewed among the two or three best backup quarterbacks in the league.
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Cordarrelle Patterson
RB | ATL
Another limited session
Patterson (thigh) was a limited practice participant Thursday, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reports.

Cordarrelle Patterson
RB | ATL
Limited Wednesday
Patterson (thigh) was a limited participant at Wednesday's practice, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reports.

Troy Andersen
LB | ATL
Will miss extended time
Andersen will require surgery to address a torn pectoral muscle and could be sidelined for 4-to-6 months, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Jonnu Smith
TE | ATL
Ties career high with eight targets
Smith caught five of eight targets for 37 yards during Sunday's 20-6 loss to the Lions.

Desmond Ridder
QB | ATL
Attempts 38 passes in loss
Ridder completed 21 of 38 passes for 201 yards during Sunday's 20-6 loss versus Detroit. He also rushed twice for three yards.

Tyler Allgeier
RB | ATL
Back-to-back duds
Allgeier rushed seven times for 12 yards and caught two of three targets for 17 yards during Sunday's 20-6 loss versus Detroit.

Kyle Pitts
TE | ATL
Season-high nine targets in loss
Pitts caught five of nine targets for 41 yards during Sunday's 20-6 loss to the Lions. He also rushed once for minus-4 yards.

Drake London
WR | ATL
Records two receptions in loss
London caught two of six targets for 31 yards during Sunday's 20-6 loss versus Detroit.

Bijan Robinson
RB | ATL
Contained by Detroit
Robinson rushed 10 times for 33 yards and caught four of six targets for 27 yards during Sunday's 20-6 loss to Detroit.

Cordarrelle Patterson
RB | ATL
Still out
Patterson (thigh) is inactive for Sunday's matchup against the Lions, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.