Asante Samuel Inactive; Roddy White Active for Week 1

Aug 29, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons cornerback Asante Samuel (22) walks on the sidelines before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

Heading into Sunday’s game with the New Orleans Saints, there was big-time concern about the health of Falcons wide receiver Roddy White, but another high-profile member of the squad will be on the shelf, instead.

According to the official Falcons Twitter account (above), cornerback Asante Samuel will be on the sidelines when the game opens at 1:00 pm. This is a big loss for Atlanta, as Samuel was going to be counted on heavily against the high-powered Saints passing attack.

In his stead, everyone in the cornerback rotation shifts up a notch, with Robert McClain starting alongside Desmond Trufant, and rookie Robert Alford becoming the go-to guy in nickel packages. This is, frankly, the wrong game to be without the team’s best cornerback, and we’ll see how the young guys can adjust when the time comes.

As far as Roddy White is concerned, he will be active and, presumably, in the starting lineup, but there are widespread reports (from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, most famously) that White will be limited today with a high ankle sprain. White has been an iron man for his entire career, but if he’s limited, we should know early in the game. Look for a steady diet of Harry Douglas if he struggles to explode off the line.

Stay tuned for more updates if they arrive, or click on over to our information post/game thread to discuss the action in the comments. Go Falcons.