Falcons DL Da'Shawn Hand Feared Lost With Torn Quad

Falcons hit with a possible season-ending loss up front

Atlanta's opener didn't just end in a loss to the Steelers — it may have cost the Falcons a defensive lineman for the rest of the year. Da'Shawn Hand is believed to have suffered a torn quad, according to a report published Sept. 14, an injury that typically ends a season.

What it means for a Falcons survivor pick

Start with the obvious: the Falcons already dropped their Week 1 game, so they weren't a survivor candidate this week anyway. Layer a potential season-long loss on the defensive front, and there's little reason to trust Atlanta as a safe pick in the near term. Interior line injuries quietly erode a defense against the run and pressure up the middle, and with no favorable matchup data in hand, this is a name to leave on the board rather than reach for. If you're weighing who to pick, lean toward healthier teams with cleaner setups — and if you're still building your bracket, you can start a free survivor pool or brush up on how survivor pools work before you lock anything in. Check back for more survivor analysis as Atlanta's outlook develops.