Falcons rule out WR Zachariah Branch for Madrid game with hamstring

Falcons wide receiver Zachariah Branch will miss this week's game against the Bengals in Madrid with a hamstring injury, head coach Kevin Stefanski said Monday. Stefanski also ruled out defensive end Samson Ebukam, who has a hamstring injury of his own. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and ProFootballTalk both carried the coach's comments.

What's confirmed. Both players are out for the Madrid game. Stefanski said he does not know yet whether either one will miss more time beyond this week. Atlanta releases its first practice report of the week on Wednesday, and that is where the rest of the injury picture starts to fill in.

What it means for Branch. Branch has 10 catches for 64 yards this season, and he has also handled punt and kickoff returns. That is a small receiving role, so his absence does not move many lineups by itself. The bigger question is whether a hamstring that keeps him out of a game this week turns into a multi-week problem, which Stefanski left open.

For Atlanta's offense, the targets Branch was seeing go back into the pool for the other receivers around Michael Penix Jr. and Bijan Robinson. The Falcons are 3-5 after Sunday's loss to Tampa Bay, so they need more out of the passing game, not less.

Ebukam has 11 tackles and 2.5 sacks in seven games. He matters to the Falcons' pass rush, but he has no fantasy value in standard RSO formats.

On the other side, Bengals coach Zac Taylor said cornerback DJ Turner is day-to-day with a heel injury and that Cashius Howell is likely headed to IR with a wrist injury.

What RSO owners should do now. If you roster Branch, take him out of any lineup and do not spend a waiver claim or cap dollars chasing his replacement on 10 catches of evidence. Dynasty owners holding him should keep him; a hamstring is not a reason to cut him.

What to watch next. Wednesday's Falcons practice report, and whether Branch is practicing in any form by the end of next week. If Atlanta moves him to IR, he would miss at least four games, and that would change the math for owners who need the roster spot.