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Matt Bryant have been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Washington Redskins after both missed practice for the third straight day.Coach Dan Quinn said Friday that rookie Isaiah Oliver will take Alford's spot. Oliver Youth Matt Ryan Jersey , a second-round draft pick from Colorado, makes his second career start.Alford, a starter in 67 of 79 career games, is out with an ankle injury and will miss his first game since 2015. He was hurt in a win over the New York Giants 11 days ago.Giorgio Tavecchio will replace Bryant for the second straight game. With Bryant hobbled by a sore hamstring since kicking a 57-yard field goal against Tampa Bay, Tavecchio kicked three field goals against New York. He sealed the outcome with a 56-yarder in the closing minutes.The Falcons (3-4) hope that receiver Mohammed Sanu will be active against the Redskins (5-2). He has been limited in practice two days this week and did not participate Thursday because of a hip injury.The Falcons, who rank third-worst in scoring defense and yards allowed per game, will be without their best linebacker, Deion Jones, for at least another two more weeks. Jones has been sidelined with a foot injury since the season-opening loss at Philadelphia. Strong safety Keanu Neal was lost for the season in the opener and free safety Ricardo Allen was lost for the year in Week 3. One season after the NFC South sent three teams to the playoffs, the division may be just as deep.The Atlanta Falcons know they can't afford to fall too far behind in the division as they prepare to play the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. Atlanta made the playoffs at 10-6 in 2017 despite finishing third in the South, behind New Orleans and Carolina.Now, coming off last week's loss at Philadelphia , the Falcons (0-1) need to beat the Panthers to avoid falling two games behind only two weeks into the season.Falcons coach Dan Quinn said the team that wins the NFC South this season "will have been in some fights."For Carolina and Atlanta, this is an early opportunity to establish a pecking order in the division."For us to have a division game ... early in the season Youth Keanu Neal Jersey , I think it's good for us and good for the division, too," Quinn said.A road win would be another strong statement for Carolina (1-0), which won its opener over Dallas .Each team has lost key starters to injuries.Carolina tight end Greg Olsen and as many as three offensive linemen could be held out. Olsen has a broken bone in his foot for the second straight year , but hopes to return this season and has not been placed on injured reserve.Panthers right tackle Daryl Williams (knee) was placed on IR Wednesday, joining left tackle Matt Kalil (knee), who was put on IR before Week 1. Also, three-time Pro Bowl right guard Trai Turner was placed in the NFL's concussion protocol on Wednesday."We are missing a Pro Bowler on offense," said wide receiver Devin Funchess, referring to Olsen. "We are just here to play our game. Those guys don't make up their whole team and Greg does not make up our whole team. ... I know for sure in our locker room we have the next-man-up mentality."The Falcons placed two key defensive starters , safety Keanu Neal (left knee) and linebacker Deion Jones, on injured reserve this week. Neal will miss the remainder of the season. The team hopes Jones will return , but he must miss at least eight games.Meanwhile, running back Devonta Freeman could be held out with a knee injury. Tevin Coleman would move up to the role of lead back.Here are some things to know about this NFC South showdown:REPLACING OLSENThe Panthers will turn to rookie Ian Thomas at tight end. Thomas is still very raw having only played two seasons of major college football at Indiana.Quarterback Cam Newton said it's impossible to replace Olsen Youth Julio Jones Jersey , a three-time 1,000-yard receiver. Newton likes what he's seen from Thomas."He has everything you would want in a premier tight end," Newton said. "But he has to believe in himself and know that it starts with understanding the small things make a big difference."TEVIN'S TIMEQuinn prefers having Freeman and Coleman split the carries "because then we can feature the uniqueness of them, the balance of them." But Sunday could be another chance for Coleman to prove he can be more than a backup. He had six starts in his first three seasons."We highly regard Tevin," Quinn said. "We've been down this road if it gets to that, Tevin can certainly handle that."TIGHTEN IT UPMiddle linebacker Luke Kuechly and defensive tackle Kawann Short led Carolina's defense in holding Dallas to 232 yards and eight points last week. Kuechly was all over the field, making 13 tackles. He set the tone with six stops in the first quarter."Luke played out of his mind," defensive coordinator Eric Washington said. "But that's who Luke Kuechly is."Short had two timely sacks. He lines up beside former Falcons defensive tackle Dontari Poe.BAYOU BROTHERHOODIn a handoff from one former Louisiana State player to another, Duke Riley will take over for Jones at inside linebacker. Riley had been starting on the weak side.Rookie Foyesade Oluokun, a sixth-round pick out of Yale, could share time with Kemal Ishmael at weakside linebacker, with De'Vondre Campbell still starting on the strongside.Damontae Kazee will be start at Neal's safety spot.QUICK STUDYThe Panthers' makeshift offensive line could include eight-year NFL veteran tackle Chris Clark , who was signed on Wednesday. Coach Ron Rivera said Clark is "in really good shape right now."AP Sports Writer Steve Reed contributed to this report.