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Falcons HC Arthur Smith says Jalen Mayfield will remain at LG

Coming off a bye in Week 6, the Atlanta Falcons have won two of three games and generally appear to be headed in the right direction. Head coach Arthur Smith addressed the media on Wednesday afternoon, giving some injury updates and discussing this weekend’s matchup against the Miami Dolphins.

One topic that came up was the return of guard Josh Andrews, who spent the first six weeks on injured reserve. Andrews figured to start this season at left guard before breaking his hand late in training camp. In his absence, rookie Jalen Mayfield filled in and despite a rough first two games, the third-round pick has shown signs of improvement each week.

Mayfield will stay at left guard

Mayfield may have struggled in his first-ever action at left guard, but the former Michigan Wolverine has impressed coach Smith enough to stay put. Some assumed Andrews’ return would move Mayfield over to right tackle since starter Kaleb McGary has been placed on the COVID reserve.

Smith said if McGary can’t play Sunday, it will be Colby Gossett or Jason Spriggs filling in. This makes sense as Andrews really isn’t a long-term answer at left guard and most penciled Mayfield into that spot when he was drafted.

Smith says Dolphins feel like divisional opponent

Way back in training camp, the Falcons and Dolphins held dual practices ahead of their preseason matchup. Miami handled Atlanta with ease that week, but the Dolphins have been an unmitigated disaster through the first six weeks of the season.

Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa returned from injury in Week 6, but the former Alabama star has struggled. Miami is 1-5 on the season, while the Falcons have a chance to get to 3-3 on Sunday following an 0-2 start.

Avery Williams and Erik Harris could return this week

Not only were the Falcons without both starting wide receivers Calvin Ridley and Russell Gage in Week 5, they were thin in the secondary as well. Defensive backs Avery Williams and Erik Harris sat out against the Jets due to injuries, but Smith said he’s hopeful that both players can return in Week 7 against the Dolphins.

Safety Jaylinn Hawkins got extended playing time as a result and recorded his first interception in Week 5. We’ll see if the young safety gets another chance to prove he belongs in the starting lineup this weekend.

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