Cowboys vs. Falcons, Week 9: Akeem Dent, Mike Peterson get opportunity after injury

Atlanta Falcons linebackers Akeem Dent and Mike Peterson will be tabbed to shoulder the load of injured starter Sean Weatherspoon, according to D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Weatherspoon will miss Sunday's game against the Dallas Cowboys with an ankle injury.

Weatherspoon ranks second on the team with 52 tackles, and also has three sacks and a forced fumble. He had not missed a snap all season before leaving last week's game against the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth quarter. Replacing Weatherspoon won't be easy, but at least Dent has some experience, seeing the field in over 40 percent of the team's defensive plays thus far. He's also studious of the third-year defensive anchor:

"It's no different for me. I always watch Sean when he's in there. I'm getting mental reps if I'm not in the game or in practice."

As for Peterson, he hasn't played much this season. However, this marks his 14th year in the NFL and he is only a couple of seasons removed from being a weekly starter.