FLOWERY BRANCH — New Falcons kicker Riley Patterson is getting familiar with his surroundings.
Patterson, 25, played at Memphis and has made 57 of 69 field-goal attempts in the NFL. He’s set to take over for Younghoe Koo, who was placed on injured reserve Wednesday because of an injury to his right hip.
“It feels great,” Patterson said. “I’m really blessed and happy to be here.”
Patterson was claimed off Cleveland’s practice squad. He has also spent time with the Lions, Jaguars and Jets.
Patterson, who’s 6-foot and 190 pounds, was Jacksonville’s full-time kicker in 2022 and made 30 of 35 field-goal attempts. He made 16 of 18 while kicking for the Lions and Browns in 2023. He has not attempted a field goal in a game this season, but has made four extra points.
Patterson has a career long of 53 yards.
“These guys are awesome,” Patterson said. “Koo has been great. (Long snapper) Liam (McCullough), (holder Bradley Pinion) and (special-teams coordinator Marquice Williams) have been awesome. This whole team has been great to me. I’m excited to be here. Excited to be a part of something special and finish this year strong.”
McCullough wants to make sure the Falcons continue to have a smooth kicking operation.
“With Riley coming in, we want to get as much work as possible this week to make sure that he’s comfortable back there,” McCullough said. “Make sure that he gets a feel for Bradley and I. (Let him know) that we will do everything that we can to put him in position to make kicks.”
McCullough’s role will not change much, but Pinion and Patterson will have some placement issues to work through.
“From my perspective, it’s really giving Bradley the same operation we had all season,” McCullough said. “We’ve had a great operation all season. If there is anything that Riley likes, if he likes the ball over the spot a little more, if he likes it in a little more, a little higher, a little lower, really whatever he needs, making sure that we put him the right spot to make kicks.”
Young defenders: Outside linebacker DeAngelo Malone and defensive tackles Zach Harrison and Ruke Orhorhoro are in line for more playing time, according to defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake.
Malone had two sacks in the 15-9 win over the Raiders on Monday night.
“We’ve kind of put him there a couple times early in the season and now in the middle of the season, he’s starting to get a little bit of production,” Lake said. “We saw the pass rush heating up, and now he’s getting some results. Now, here moving forward, you’ll probably see him even get a little bit more of a role.”
Orhorhoro, who spent time this season on injured reserve, and Harrison had big plays against the Raiders, and the defense recorded 10 tackles for losses.
Kentavius Street had three tackles for losses. Harrison had two, including the safety, and Orhorhoro had one.
“With Ruke, I mean, it was great to get him back,” Lake said. “He’s electric. He can move. He’s smart, and he plays with a ferocity that he takes it to another level.”
The Falcons also plan to increase Harrison’s role.
“I’m so proud of Zach,” Lake said. “Another guy that has had his role increased as well, playing different positions for us across the front and he’s been extremely effective wherever we put him, so he’s another guy that will also see his role will continue to grow because of his production.”
Whitmer to Indiana: Chandler Whitmer, the Falcons’ pass-game specialist, is slated to be hired as Indiana’s quarterbacks coach and co-offensive coordinator.
Whitmer came to the Falcons from the Chargers, where he worked with quarterback Justin Herbert from 2021-23 as a quality-control assistant.
“He will be with us for the remainder of the season,” Falcons coach Raheem Morris said. “It’s such a great opportunity for the young man.”
Injury report: Wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge (ribs) and outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter (groin) were declared questionable for the game Sunday.
Wide receiver Casey Washington (concussion) was declared out.
Several players were limited this week and some received rest, but do not have a game-day injury designation.
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