Atlanta Falcons Should Pursue Better Injury Replacements

Another week, another major injury for the Atlanta Falcons. Head Coach Dan Quinn constantly speaks of a next man up mentality. The Atlanta Falcons signed two injury replacements. Did they sign the right guys? If not who should they have signed?

Why replacements are needed

The Atlanta Falcons have suffered as many season ending injuries as they have played games, and an additional serious injury to boot. Gone for the season is guard Andy Levitre, along with safeties Keanu Neal and Ricardo Allen. Linebacker Deion Jones will miss at least six more games.

Aside from the major injuries, the Dirty Birds have also dealt with injuries to starters such as running back Devonta Freeman, and defensive end Takkarist McKinley. Backups that play key roles like defensive end Derek Shelby, and special teams standout Russell Gage, are also battling injuries.

The defensive side of the ball has been hit hardest by the injury bug. This fact was extremely evident in the Atlanta Falcons 43-37 loss, to the New Orleans sAints.

The Falcons’ defense was hemorrhaging yards, allowing an astounding 534 total yards. That’s an incredible 127 more yards, than the 407 yards that the Atlanta Falcons offense put up in a banner day.

The Dirty Birds banged up defense, is the chief reason that Matt Ryan had the highest quarterback rating ever recorded in a loss. His rating was near perfect at 148.1. It’s rare when a quarterback throws for 374 yards with five touchdowns with zero turnovers, and doesn’t come away with a win.

The Atlanta Falcons have exhausted the depth on the roster at several positions. Safety, linebacker and defensive end are particularly depleted. Honestly the depth wasn’t great on the Falcons roster at most positions to begin with. This was evident by the lack of production by Atlanta backups in the Preseason.