Todd McClure's injury has already caused the Atlanta Falcons' center to miss two preseason games. According to the most recent reports, it seems that the typically injury-free offensive lineman has been officially shut down for the fourth and final game of the exhibition schedule along with Atlanta's Week 1 opener versus the Chicago Bears.
McClure underwent knee surgery on Monday for what the team called a "minor procedure."
Falcons head coach Mike Smith told the media on Tuesday that McClure won't be available for the next two weeks, according to Jay Adams. McClure had previously started 166 straight games for the Falcons, dating back to 2001 after the Falcons acquired him as a seventh round pick in the 1999 NFL Draft.
The team hasn't made a formal announcement regarding which backup will replace McClure in the starting lineup, but veteran Joe Hawley appears to be the top option according to the depth chart posted on the team's website.