Hesse catches career highs at Buffalo

Waukon High School 2014 graduate Parker Hesse had a career day, thus far, in the Atlanta Falcons’ 29-15 loss at Buffalo Sunday, January 2. Hesse was called up to the active roster from the Falcons’ practice squad prior to Sunday’s game after starting tight end Hayden Hurst was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday, December 29 when he tested positive for COVID-19.

In the loss to Buffalo, Hesse caught all three passes thrown his way for his first NFL regular season game with multiple receptions, gaining a career-best 31 yards and picking up three first downs in the process. His catches included a second down 10-yard reception for a first down early in the second quarter on a drive that led to an Atlanta field goal, a second down four-yard catch for another first down late in the third quarter, and a career-best 17-yard reception on first down for another first down that brought the Falcons into the red zone on their final possession of the game, that drive coming up short of the end zone late in the game.