Expectations are fairly high for the Atlanta Falcons heading into the new 2011 season. And for good reason. One cause for concern though is the play of the front seven, a potential liability that didn't really rear its ugly head in 2010. Speed is more important than ever on defense, but it's hard to survive in the NFL if you don't also have some bulk and depth in the trenches and at linebacker.
The Falcons tried to improve their defensive line in free agency by signing free agent Ray Edwards. The addition of Edwards will at least partially be reneged by the loss of DT Corey Peters for Atlanta's Week 1 road test against the Chicago Bears. Peters, a third-round selection out of Kentucky in the 2010 Draft, suffered a knee injury during the preseason schedule. No surgery was required though, which perhaps lulled fans and scribes into thinking that he'd be just fine once Week 1 rolled around.
That's not the case unfortunately, as Peters was officially ruled out for Sunday's game. In his place, Jeriah Perry will get his first real shot at proving he was worthy of a first round selection in the 2009 Draft. Jerry did play in 16 games last year, but he was relegated to rotational duty coming off reconstructive knee surgery and the fact that Peters was playing at a surprisingly high level as a third round rookie.
For more Falcons coverage in the final lead up to Sunday's season opener at Chicago, visit The Falcoholic.
And just in case you're curious about the rest of the Falcons injury situation, or the Bears' for that matter, here's the complete report for both teams, filed Friday afternoon per league mandate.
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ATLANTA FALCONS |
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Status Report |
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OUT |
C Todd McClure (knee), DT Corey Peters (knee) |
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PROBABLE |
DT Jonathan Babineaux (knee, shoulder), C Rob Bruggeman (concussion), T Tyson Clabo (elbow), CB Dunta Robinson (hamstring), DE Lawrence Sidbury (ankle), WR Roddy White (thigh) |
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Practice Report |
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OUT (DEFINITELY WILL NOT PLAY) |
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Wednesday |
C Todd McClure (knee) |
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Thursday |
C Todd McClure (knee) |
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Friday |
C Todd McClure (knee) |
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DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE |
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Wednesday |
DT Corey Peters (knee) |
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Thursday |
DT Corey Peters (knee) |
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Friday |
DT Corey Peters (knee) |
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LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE |
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Wednesday |
DT Jonathan Babineaux (knee, shoulder), T Tyson Clabo (elbow) |
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FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE |
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Wednesday |
C Rob Bruggeman (concussion), CB Dunta Robinson (hamstring), DE Lawrence Sidbury (ankle), WR Roddy White (thigh) |
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Thursday |
DT Jonathan Babineaux (knee, shoulder), C Rob Bruggeman (concussion), T Tyson Clabo (elbow), CB Dunta Robinson (hamstring), DE Lawrence Sidbury (ankle), WR Roddy White (thigh) |
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Friday |
DT Jonathan Babineaux (knee, shoulder), C Rob Bruggeman (concussion), T Tyson Clabo (elbow), CB Dunta Robinson (hamstring), DE Lawrence Sidbury (ankle), WR Roddy White (thigh) |
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CHICAGO BEARS |
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Status Report |
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OUT |
RB Marion Barber (calf) |
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QUESTIONABLE |
WR Sam Hurd (ankle), DE Corey Wootton (knee) |
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PROBABLE |
DT Anthony Adams (calf), RB Kahlil Bell (knee), LB Lance Briggs (knee), S Chris Conte (head), TE Kellen Davis (back), LS Patrick Mannelly (calf), S Craig Steltz (hip) |
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Practice Report |
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DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE |
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Wednesday |
RB Marion Barber (calf) |
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Thursday |
RB Marion Barber (calf) |
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Friday |
RB Marion Barber (calf) |
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LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE |
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Wednesday |
DT Anthony Adams (calf), WR Sam Hurd (ankle), DE Corey Wootton (knee) |
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Thursday |
DE Corey Wootton (knee) |
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FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE |
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Wednesday |
RB Kahlil Bell (knee), LB Lance Briggs (knee), S Chris Conte (head), TE Kellen Davis (back), LS Patrick Mannelly (calf), S Craig Steltz (hip) |
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Thursday |
DT Anthony Adams (calf), RB Kahlil Bell (knee), LB Lance Briggs (knee), S Chris Conte (head), TE Kellen Davis (back), WR Sam Hurd (ankle), LS Patrick Mannelly (calf), S Craig Steltz (hip) |
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Friday |
DT Anthony Adams (calf), RB Kahlil Bell (knee), LB Lance Briggs (knee), S Chris Conte (head), TE Kellen Davis (back), WR Sam Hurd (ankle), LS Patrick Mannelly (calf), S Craig Steltz (hip), DE Corey Wootton (knee) |
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