Atlanta Falcons Impressed by Backup Offensive Lineman Tyler Vrabel

The head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, Arthur Smith, has expressed his admiration for the performance of backup offensive lineman Tyler Vrabel, highlighting how well he stepped up in the absence of Jake Matthews. The Falcons heavily rely on a potent running game, largely attributed to a dominant offensive line. However, offensive linemen, especially backups, often go unnoticed.

In a departure from the usual focus, Coach Smith specifically commended Tyler Vrabel, the son of Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel, for his solid performance filling in for Jake Matthews. Smith acknowledged the challenges of stepping into such a role but praised Vrabel’s effectiveness, noting that being the third tackle means being just one play away from action.

Undrafted the previous year, Vrabel spent the entire last season on the Falcons’ practice squad. With an opportunity arising due to Matthews’ injury, Vrabel showcased his abilities and proved equal to the task. Although Matthews is expected to return for the upcoming game against the Carolina Panthers, Vrabel’s impressive skills make him a reliable backup lineman, ready to step in if needed.

The Falcons aim to bounce back from their recent loss to the Buccaneers and stay in the race for the divisional crown. Despite Matthews’ return to practice, the team can take comfort in knowing that Vrabel has demonstrated the competence to serve as a dependable plug-and-play option in case of any future lineup changes.