The Atlanta Falcons will rely more heavily on Michael Turner than they usually do with the news that backup running back Jason Snelling will miss Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a hamstring injury. The third-stringer, Antone Smith, is also out, opening the door for fullback Ovie Mughelli and fourth-stringer tailback, Gartrell Johnson, to see some carries in relief of Turner.
In Week 9’s 27-21 victory over the Buccaneers, the Falcons rushed 33 times with Turner seeing all but nine attempts. The loss of Snelling isn’t as damaging to the offense as missing one of the big three (Matt Ryan, Turner, Roddy White) but it could play a factor if the Bucs are able to slow the ground game since Snelling is the primary receiving tailback on the Falcons.
All the other Falcons who appeared on the injury report are good to go and will be available in Tampa. The news of Snelling’s inactivity was provided by Jay Adams of AtlantaFalcons.com:
