The Atlanta Falcons released Wednesday’s official injury report and it’s one of the biggest of the year. You’d think a bye week would allow guys to get healthier but the Falcons list seven players on today’s report with four players from the defense and three from the offense.
The old news: Justin Peelle is still out. The good news: Dunta Robinson has been cleared to practice. His presence is a big factor for this defense. The bad news: Sean Weatherspoon is still not practicing. This is starting to worry me. He had a chance to win Defensive Rookie of the Year after a tremendous start but he’s been unable to practice fully in over three weeks. Ovie Mughelli did not practice with a hamstring injury. This is more bad news. Mughelli isn’t a household name but he’s vital to what the Falcons want to do on the ground. His status this week will be of great importance since you figure the Falcons will want to take advantage of the paper-thin rush defense of the Buccaneers.
The full report courtesy of the official site:
CB Dunta Robinson (head/knee) LP
TE Justin Peelle (groin) DNP
LB Sean Weatherspoon (knee) DNP
DE John Abraham (ankle) LP
LB Curtis Lofton (knee) LP
RB Antone Smith (shoulder) LP
RB Ovie Mughelli (hamstring) DNP
The Buccaneers defensive line is banged up with Brian Price on injured reserve and Gerald McCoy and Ryan Sims missing practice today. The Buccaneers lead the NFL in interceptions but are 30th in the league in stopping the run. This might be the time for Michael Turner to carry the ball around 67 times.
The official Bucs report:
C Jeff Faine (quad) LP
FB Earnest Graham (hamstring) DNP
DT Gerald McCoy (neck) DNP
DE Kyle Moore (shoulder) FP
WR Preston Parker (knee) FP
DT Ryan Sims (knee) DNP
WR Sammie Stroughter (foot) DNP
T Jeremy Youngblood (knee) LP
TE Kellen Winslow (knee) FP