Bradie Ewing Injury: Falcons Confirm Rookie Fullback Is Done For 2012

The Atlanta Falcons have officially confirmed that rookie fullback Bradie Ewing is done for the 2012 season after tearing his ACL in the team's first preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday night. Head coach Mike Smith gave the following quote to the team's official site:

"Unfortunately, we have to announce that Bradie Ewing will miss the entire season after sustaining a knee injury in last night’s contest," Smith said. "As a result, we will be placing him on injured reserve tomorrow. Bradie is a talented player and I know he and our training staff will do everything they can to ensure a full recovery."

It's likely that the Falcons will now be in the market for a fullback, with only Mike Cox on the roster. Former starter Ovie Mughelli was let go in the offseason and signed with the St. Louis Rams. Running back Jason Snelling has played the position before.

For more on Bradie Ewing and the Atlanta Falcons check out The Falcoholic. For more news and notes from around the NFL head over to SB Nation's NFL page.

Bradie Ewing Injury: Falcons Fullback Reportedly Out For Season With Torn ACL

The worst was feared when an emotional Bradie Ewing left the field on a golf cart and headed to the Falcons locker room after suffering a knee injury. Now it appears that those fears were justified. Josina Anderson is reporting that Ewing has a torn ACL in his right knee and will be sidelined for the remainder of the season.

Sources: Falcons FB Bradie Ewing has a torn ACL. Out for the season.

— Josina Anderson (@JosinaAnderson) August 10, 2012

Ewing was drafted in the fifth round by the Falcons in the 2012 Draft. He was expected to compete for starting fullback job along with Mike Cox. Atlanta cut Ovie Mughelli during the offseason in a salary cap move after five seasons with the club.

For more on Bradie Ewing and the Atlanta Falcons check out The Falcoholic. For more news and notes from around the NFL head over to SB Nation's NFL page.

Falcons Vs. Ravens Recap: Julio Jones, Defense Shine In Preseason Opener

Falcons Vs. Ravens Final Score: Baltimore Storms Back To Win 31-17

Atlanta's first team offense and defense looked up to the part. However, the same couldn't be said for the reserves in a 31-17 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in the 2012 preseason opener.

Matt Ryan and company looked sharp in the first half as he quickly drove the Falcons down the field and connected with Julio Jones for a touchdown on the opening possession. Ryan ended up completing 9 of 13 passes for 155 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Julio Jones caught six passes for 106 yards while Roddy White hauled in three for 46.

Jacquizz Rodgers was the leading gainer on the ground with 33 yards on nine carries and a touchdown. Michael Turner chipped in five carries for 17 yards.

Without Ryan and company in the game Atlanta struggled to mount much offense. John Parker Wilson completed 8 of 13 for 69 yards but failed to produce a first down in three drives during the third quarter. Baltimore capitalized with a touchdown in the third quarter after Wilson and running back Dimitri Nance botched a handoff. Dominique Davis went 6 for 11 for 53 yards with an interception.

Atlanta's defense looked good with the starters in and came up with three sacks in the first half. The reserves had a much harder time getting off the field after the intermission.

The Falcons also suffered two notable injuries in the game with Bradie Ewing leaving in the first quarter with a knee injury and Akeem Dent exiting in the second quarter with a head injury. Ewing's injury appeared to be the most serious as he exited the field on a golf cart and headed to the locker room.

For more on this game Falcons fans should visit The Falcoholic and Ravens fans should check out Baltimore Beatdown. For more news and notes from around the NFL head over to SB Nation's NFL hub page.

Falcons Vs. Ravens Update: Baltimore Battles Back To Take 24-17 Lead

Baltimore battled back in the third quarter from a 17-7 halftime deficit to take a 24-17 lead thanks to a costly Falcons' turnover deep in their own territory and their inability to move the ball on offense.

Baltimore began the half with a 12 play, 60 yard drive engineered by backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor which eventually led to a 36 yard field goal by Justin Tucker to cut the lead to 17-10. Later in the quarter, Baltimore recovered a botched handoff attempt between John Parker Wilson and Dimitri Nance deep in their own territory. The Ravens tied the game when Curtis Painter hooked up with Billy Bajema on a four-yard touchdown reception.

On the Ravens next to last possession of the third quarter, Painter marched the team 80 yards in three plays with the scoring strike coming on a 22 yard touchdown pass to Deonte Thompson. The big play on the drive came when Robert McLain was flagged for pass interference on a long pass from Painter.

John Parker Wilson failed to produce a single first down in three drives in the third quarter.

For more on this game Falcons fans should visit The Falcoholic and Ravens fans should check out Baltimore Beatdown. For more news and notes from around the NFL head over to SB Nation's NFL hub page.

Falcons Vs. Ravens Halftime Score: Birds Up 17-7 As Backups Enter The Game

After Jacquizz Rodgers worked his way across the goal line to put the Falcons up by two scores, Joe Flacco responded by leading the Ravens offense on an 11-play drive that ended with a nine-yard pass to Ed Dickson for a touchdown.

As the second-stringers were subbed into the game, Rodgers continued to look solid running the ball. Chris Redman, on the other hand, looked incredibly shaky, completing only one of his six pass attempts for eight yards. John Parker Wilson generally looked much more collected, completing all five of his throws for 45 yards.

Defensively, the Falcons continued to hold their own. Peria Jerry made a nice play to tackle Ravens RB Anthony Allen in the backfield, and Robert James picked up a sack on a linebacker blitz.

Special teams, however, was once again unkind to the Falcons. Akeem Dent, the expected starter at middle linebacker, was banged up on a return and walked off the field with what appeared to be a concussion.

As we move into the second half, expect to see more third-stringers and some fourth-stringers take the field and battle it out to stay on the roster.

For more on this game Falcons fans should visit The Falcoholic and Ravens fans should check out Baltimore Beatdown. For more news and notes from around the NFL head over to SB Nation'sNFL hub page.

Akeem Dent Injury: Falcons Linebacker Out With Head Injury

Falcons linebacker Akeem Dent left the game in the second quarter after suffering a head injury and will not return to the game.

Injury Update: Falcons MLB Akeem Dent has head injury, will not return to the game. #atlbal12

— Atlanta_Falcons (@Atlanta_Falcons) August 10, 2012

Atlanta can not afford to lose Dent who is now the starting middle linebacker after the departure of free agent Curtis Lofton to the Saints. The Falcons signed Lofa Tatupu to compete for the job with Dent but Tatupu suffered a pectoral injury before training camp and was released. Atlanta then signed Mike Peterson to add some depth at the position but desperately need Dent to nail down the starting job.

For more on this game Falcons fans should visit The Falcoholic and Ravens fans should check out Baltimore Beatdown. For more news and notes from around the NFL head over to SB Nation's NFL hub page.

Falcons Vs. Ravens Update: Offense Looks Promising As Atlanta Leads 14-0

The Falcons have gotten off to an impressive start in Atlanta in their first exhibition game of the season.

On the game's opening drive, Matt Ryan marched the team 80 yards down the field for a score, and threw a perfect five for five in the process. Though he would be picked off by linebacker Brendan Ayanbadejo, thus far Ryan has 155 yards on nine completions, one TD and one INT.

Last year's first-round draft pick Julio Jones had four of those catches, including a seven-yard catch in the end zone to put the Falcons up 7-0 early. Already in only the first quarter he has amassed 109 yards on six receptions.

Mike Nolan's defense was equally impressive, not allowing even one first down by the Ravens' first-string offense during the first 15 minutes of play. Kroy Biermann notched a sack, Sean Weatherspoon made a couple of nice tackles in coverage, and the unit simply gave a strong performance on the whole.

The Falcons special teams unit also turned some heads. CB Dominique Franks, a leading competitor for the punt return job, broke off a 45-yard return early in the quarter.

Unfortunately, rookie and expected starter FB Bradie Ewing hurt his knee on the same play, and took some time to get off the field. More news regarding that injury should be available soon.

For more on this game Falcons fans should visit The Falcoholic and Ravens fans should check out Baltimore Beatdown. For more news and notes from around the NFL head over to SB Nation'sNFL hub page.

Bradie Ewing Injury: Falcons Fullback Headed To Locker Room With Knee Injury

The Falcons were dealt their first injury of the preseason when rookie fullback Bradie Ewing was injured on a punt return in the first quarter of his first preseason game. Ewing's right knee buckled while he was attempting to plant for a block and he went to the turf and had to be helped from the field. He was loaded onto a golf cart a few minutes later and taken to the locker room.

#Falcons rookie RB Bradie Ewing is leaving the field on a golf car. Looks like right knee injury.

— D. Orlando Ledbetter (@AJCFalcons) August 10, 2012

Ewing was competing with Mike Cox for the starting fullback job with the Falcons. He was selected in the fifth round of the 2012 NFL Draft by the Falcons out of Wisconsin.

For more on this game Falcons fans should visit The Falcoholic and Ravens fans should check out Baltimore Beatdown. For more news and notes from around the NFL head over to SB Nation's NFL hub page.

PHOTO: Atlanta Sports Fans Looking Suspiciously Like Stereotype Of Atlanta Sports Fans

2012 NFL Preseason: Falcons Vs. Ravens Betting Odds

The Atlanta Falcons will begin their 2012 preseason by hosting the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday night in the Georgia Dome, and Bovada has the Falcons at (-2), with a slight advantage as favorites on their home field.

It's unclear as to exactly how long both teams plan to keep their starters in the game, but Atlanta's addition of new offensive and defensive schemes might press the Falcons to keep their starters for more than just one drive. Certainly in the case of new offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter's passing scheme, everyone is anxious to see the new-look attack from Matt Ryan to Julio Jones and Roddy White. There's also the matter of the Falcons' offensive line, with a few positions up for grabs.

For more on this game Falcons fans should visit The Falcoholic and Ravens fans should check out Baltimore Beatdown. For more news and notes from around the NFL head over to SB Nation's NFL hub page.

Falcons Vs. Ravens Preview: TV Schedule, Game Time, Radio And More

A quick look at Atlanta's first preseason matchup with the Baltimore Ravens, when you can watch it, and what players to keep an eye on.

Falcons Training Camp: Preseason Depth Chart Short On Surprises

There weren't a lot of surprises included in the Falcons depth chart for the team's preseason opener against Baltimore. It did reveal however that Jacquizz Rogers will get the first shot at kick returner with Harry Douglas handling punt return duties.

Peter Konz is listed as the backup right guard behind starter Garrett Reynolds. Rookie fullback Bradie Ewing is also listed as the backup behind incumbent Mike Cox.

Defensively nothing should be read into Asante Samuel being listed behind Dunta Robinson at right corner. The Falcons will have some sort of cornerback rotation with Robinson lined up in the slot most of the time. Veteran safety Chris Hope is listed as the backup behind starter William Moore.

Here is a look at the Falcons full depth chart for the first preseason game:

Offense:

WR - Julio Jones, Harry Douglas, Drew Davis, Michael Calvin, James Rodgers

LT - Sam Baker, Will Svitek, Lamar Holmes

LG - Justin Blalock, Andrew Jackson, Phillipkeith Manley

C - Todd McClure, Joe Hawley, Peter Konz, Tyler Horn

RG - Garrett Reynolds, - Peter Konz, - Mike Johnson

RT - Tyson Clabo, Mike Johnson, Lamar Holmes, Bryce Harris

TE - Tony Gonzalez, Michael Palmer, Tommy Gallarda, LaMark Brown, Adam Nissley, Aron White

WR - Roddy White, Kerry Meier, Kevin Cone, Marcus Jackson, Kenny Stafford, Tim Toone

QB - Matt Ryan, Chris Redman, John Parker Wilson, Dominique Davis

RB - Michael Turner, Jason Snelling, Jacquizz Rodgers, Antone Smith, Dimitri Nance, Richard Medlin

FB - Mike Cox, Bradie Ewing, Lee Meisner

Defense:

RE - John Abraham, Lawrence Sidbury, Cliff Matthews, Louis Nzegwu

DT - Peria Jerry, Vance Walker, Travian Robertson, Elisha Joseph

DT - Jonathan Babineaux, Corey Peters, Micanor Regis, Conrad Obi

LE - Ray Edwards, Kroy Biermann, Jonathan Massaquoi

OLB - Sean Weatherspoon, Robert James, Rico Council, Max Gruder

MLB - Akeem Dent, Mike Peterson, Pat Schiller

OLB - Stephen Nicholas, Spencer Adkins, Jarrell Harris

RCB - Dunta Robinson, Asante Samuel, Christopher Owens, Marty Markett, Peyton Thompson

LCB - Brent Grimes, Dominique Franks, Darrin Walls, Robert McClain

SS - William Moore, Chris Hope, Charles Mitchell

FS - Thomas DeCoud, Shann Schillinger, Suaesi Tuimaunei

Special Teams:

K - Matt Bryant, Erik Folk

KO - Matt Bosher

P - Matt Bosher, Dawson Zimmerman

KR - Jacquizz Rodgers, Dominique Franks

PR - Harry Douglas, Dominique Franks

LS - Joe Zelenka, Josh Harris

H - Matt Bosher, Kerry Meier