Falcons LB Sean Weatherspoon returns to practice; could play in Week 10

Aug 29, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Sean Weatherspoon (56) reacts to a play in the second half against the Jacksonville Jaguars at the Georgia Dome. The Jaguars won 20-16. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

Coming into the 2013 season, the Atlanta Falcons were set to be heavily reliant on Sean Weatherspoon as the lynch pin of their defense from the linebacker position. However, Weatherspoon went down with ligament damage in his foot in Week 2 and hasn’t been seen on the field since. Fortunately, there is positive news to report on ‘Spoon, as multiple outlets are confirming that he returned to the practice field on Tuesday.

Any time you can see (arguably) the most explosive player on the entire defense returning, it is an unquestionable positive. However, it is important to note that just because he is practicing on Wednesday does not mean a guaranteed return to the field for Sunday.

D. Orlando Ledbetter is reporting (via the Tweet above) that Weatherspoon is “aiming” for next Sunday’s game against the Bucs, and that probably is the safe bet. On one hand, the Falcons are desperate for wins to have any chance to make a late season push toward the playoffs additional games that follow the regular season (I’m not allowed to use that word). On the other hand, however, there is a real movement in the city for the Falcons to go into “tank” mode, and keeping guys like Weatherspoon and Roddy White on the sidelines until they are 100% healthy could help to generate losses in the interim.

Either way, it is nice to see Weatherspoon on the field, especially when I was trumpeting him as the best player on the side of the ball in the preseason. Keep an eye on practice reports (and this space) for indications of his availability for Sunday, but all signs point to him returning to game action in short order.