Falcons RB Steven Jackson & WR Roddy White Absent from Tuesday Practice

Sep 15, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Steven Jackson (39) runs with the ball for a touchdown in the first quarter against the St. Louis Rams at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

Well, this isn’t good.

The report from ESPN’s Vaughn McClure was short and sweet, but it doesn’t change the fact that Falcons running back Steven Jackson was simply a spectator again on Tuesday as a result of a hamstring issue. Reports seemed to be positive heading into the bye week that Jackson would finally return when the Falcons take on the Bucs, but his repeated practice absences aren’t alleviating any fears, and head coach Mike Smith was non-committal (at best) with regard to his prospects.

It’s likely too early to make a definitive judgment on Jackson’s prospects for Sunday, but this isn’t good news. The 30-year-old Jackson hasn’t been on the field in any meaningful way since the week 1 loss to New Orleans, but with the state of the offense, his presence is needed more than it ever has been.

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On cue, McClure brought some more less-than-positive news with regard to Roddy White’s availability.

This probably isn’t quite as troubling as Jackson, but Roddy White needs to be on the field in a desperate way. ESPN’s Adam Schefter speculated last week that White could miss 1-or-more games as a result of the “new” hamstring issue, and he hasn’t seen the practice field since that report.

With Julio Jones gone for the year and Jackson’s status very much up in the air, Roddy White would presumably become the absolute focal point for Matt Ryan, but he hasn’t been himself lately. White has appeared in all 5 games this season, but he has just 14 catches (on 23 targets) for 129 yards, and has basically been a shell of himself physically.

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We will continue to monitor the reports as the week goes on, but all information from Flowery Branch is drifting toward the negative side at this time.