FLOWERY BRANCH -- Falcons wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus, a third-year veteran, is set to make his third NFL start Sunday (1 p.m., MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J.) against the Giants in place of Russell Gage and will be on the host seat to perform.
Zaccheaus, who made the team in 2019 as an undrafted free agent out of Virginia, started two games last season. Gage suffered an ankle injury against Tampa Bay. He returned to the game and appeared to aggravate the injury.
Zaccheaus has caught two passes for 22 yards this season. He had a 93-yard touchdown reception as a rookie and caught 20 passes for 274 yards last season before going on injured reserve with a turf-toe injury.
“It goes back to our roster on offense in general ... have guys be able to play multiple positions,” offensive coordinator Dave Ragone said. “So, if it’s the wide receiver position, the tight end or anywhere else, whoever is in there, regardless if it’s because of injury or because that’s just the rotation that you’re going in, there is an expectation and standard that guys will go in perform and do their job.”
Gage was coming off a strong season in 2020, when he caught a career-high 72 passes for 786 yards and four touchdowns. Before the injury, he caught five of nine targets for 28 yards this season.
“OZ is a professional in the terms of the definition of it,” Ragone said. “What I mean by that, he knows the plan. He knows the responsibility, not just his. But if he’s forced to play other positions, for whatever reason, he’s prepared.”
Zaccheaus also has impressed the new coaching staff with his work and study habits.
“He does the mental work in front of the meetings in terms of studying,” Ragone said. “When you’re in the meetings and you ask him questions, he’s ready to go. That obviously gives confidence to not only the coaches, but the players around him.”
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Falcons’ 2021 schedule features trip to London, January trip to Buffalo
Atlanta Falcons Schedule
Falcons at New York Giants, Sept. 26 at 1 p.m.
Washington FT at Falcons, Oct. 3 at 1 p.m.
New York Jets vs. Falcons in London, Oct. 10 at 9:30 a.m.
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