In a game with huge playoff impact and possible homefield advantage implications, the 8-2 Atlanta Falcons play host to the 7-3 Green Bay Packers. Both teams are talented and both have played great football this season so injuries, as they so often do, will play a big part in this one. The Packers have been snakebit this season, placing 11 players on injured reserve. By comparison, the Falcons have lost only four players to IR. What's the health status of two of the three best teams in the NFC? The official injury report reveals all.
WR Roddy White (knee) DNP
DE John Abraham (groin) DNP
S Shann Schillinger (head) DNP
RB Antone Smith (hamstring) DNP
LB Curtis Lofton (knee) LP
DT Corey Peters (rib) LP
WR Eric Weems (pectoral) LP
Before the panic fully gripped my body, the Falcons official Twitter page puts my mind at ease about the dreaded DNP after Roddy's name.
JUST IN: Roddy White, John Abraham, Shann Schillinger and Antone Smith did NOT practice today. For Roddy, it was just for rest. #atlgb10
Atlanta_Falcons
Atlanta_Falcons
Abraham missed last week so his status remains up in the air for this one, despite Mike Smith calling it a "maintenance day". The Falcons couldn't generate a pass rush against the Rams without the Predator and letting Aaron Rodgers stand upright is not going to be good for any Falcon fan. It's important that Abe is able to get back out there. Schillinger and Smith also sat out but neither are crucial cogs in this machine. No need to worry about Lofton, Peters and Weems unless they don't practice tomorrow or Friday.
The good news is Sean Weatherspoon appears to be fully healed from his knee injury that kept him out for over a month. He was active last week but played sparingly and did not make the stat sheet. Now that we know the health meter of the Falcons, how are the Packers faring against the injury bug this week? More from Jay Adams:
