The Falcons placed DT Ruke Orhorhoro on IR and signed LB Rashaan Evans

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – The Atlanta Falcons announced Friday that rookie defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro will be placed on the reserve/injured list. In a corresponding move, the Falcons signed veteran linebacker Rashaan Evans to the 53-man roster.

Orhorhoro injured his ankle during the team's 31-26 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday and did not participate in any Falcons practices all week. Atlanta selected Orhorhoro in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft and he has played the second-most snaps among the team's rookies so far this season. His first game action came in Week 5 against the Buccaneers and he saw time in every subsequent game. This season, Orhorhoro has five tackles and a quarterback hit.

“He made life hell for our starting offense, that’s what he did,” Falcons defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake said when asked before the Week 8 game what Orhorhoro did to earn playing time. “He was in the backfield. He was a shocker that sent the offensive line back into the backfield, our starting offensive line. And so he didn't do it on every single play, but it showed up enough where it could have been done.” What we do against our starting offense will likely impact our opponent in a real game. And it definitely has.”

Adding Evans to the 53-man roster gives Atlanta more depth at the inside linebacker position, which has been plagued by injuries this season. Rookie linebacker JD Bertrand is already out for Sunday's game with a concussion, and starter Troy Andersen is questionable after missing the last four games with a knee injury.

Evans, a former first-round pick of the Tennessee Titans in 2018, joined the Falcons before the 2022 season and started all 17 games at inside linebacker this season. He led Atlanta with a career-high 159 tackles, ranking sixth among all NFL defensive backs, and also had six tackles for a loss, four pass breakups, two sacks and two fumble recoveries.

The Falcons face the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET. All information on how to watch the game can be found here.