Daren Bates
LB FA
Sat 12/25/21 3:39 PM

The Falcons have activated Bates (groin) off injured reserve.
EDGE Analysis
Bates was designated to return Dec. 15. He has been sidelined since mid-November. Barring any setbacks, look for him to help provide depth at inside linebacker.

Daren Bates
LB FA
Wed 12/15/21 2:03 PM

Bates (groin) was designated to return from injured reserve Wednesday.
EDGE Analysis
Wednesday's transaction was expected after coach Arthur Smith revealed Bates would be back at practice. The 31-year-old has been sidelined for each of the last four games but will be eligible to suit up as early as Sunday against the 49ers.

Daren Bates
LB FA
Wed 12/15/21 12:41 PM

Bates (groin) will return to practice Wednesday, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Bates spent nearly a month on injured reserve, but he'll now return to the practice field. It's not yet clear whether he'll be available for Sunday's game against the 49ers, but once he's officially designated to return, the 31-year-old will need to be activated within 21 days if he hopes to return this season.

Daren Bates
LB FA
Thu 11/18/21 4:59 PM

Bates (groin) was placed on IR on Thursday, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.
EDGE Analysis
Bates had already been ruled out of the team's Week 11 matchup with the Patriots, but he will now miss a minimum of two additional games on top of that. With the Falcons' Week 12 bye also falling during that stretch, the earliest the backup linebacker can return will be Week 15 against the Panthers.

Daren Bates
LB FA
Wed 11/17/21 7:26 PM

Bates (groin) won't play in the Falcons' Week 11 contest against the Patriots on Thursday, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Bates suffered a groin injury during the Falcons' loss to the Cowboys in Week 11 and was unable to return to the game. The linebacker started the season with the Texans and then joined the Titans before eventually ending up in Atlanta. Expect Foyesade Oluokun to see extended playing time Thursday against the Patriots.

Daren Bates
LB FA
Sun 11/14/21 3:58 PM

Bates won't return to Sunday's game against the Cowboys due to a groin injury, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Bates totaled three tackles (two solo) prior to his departure in the second half. The severity of the issue isn't yet clear, but he'll have a short week to recover before Thursday's game against the Patriots.

Daren Bates
LB FA
Sat 10/23/21 3:03 PM

Bates was elevated from the Falcons' practice squad Saturday, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Bates' elevation to the active roster is likely due to fellow linebacker Dante Fowler (knee) being placed on injured reserve Friday. The 30-year-old will likely play a depth role for the Falcons while also contributing on special teams going forward. The Falcons square off against the Dolphins in Week 7.

Daren Bates
LB FA
Tue 10/27/20 6:55 PM

Bates was promoted from the Titans' practice squad to the active roster Tuesday, Jim Wyatt of the team's official site reports.
EDGE Analysis
The 29-year-old failed to make Houston's season-opening roster and returned to Tennessee on the practice squad, and he played 23 snaps on special teams while elevated as an extra player for Week 7. Bates spent the previous three years with the Titans, playing only 52 defensive snaps in 45 games.

Daren Bates
LB FA
Mon 8/31/20 8:35 PM

The Texans cut Bates on Monday.
EDGE Analysis
Bates earned a contract with the team last week, but as evidenced by this news, failed to make a significant impact. The 29-year-old linebacker has 65 career tackles on special teams with three fumble recoveries and one forced fumble, so he could certainly find another home soon.

Daren Bates
LB FA
Sun 8/23/20 7:43 PM

Bates signed a contract with the Texans, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.
EDGE Analysis
Bates has significant experience on special teams, including a fumble recovery for a touchdown against the Texans in 2013 and being named a team captain for the Rams in 2015 and the Titans in 2017. The 29-year-old linebacker has 65 career tackles on special teams with three fumble recoveries and one forced fumble.