The Falcons will place Ovie Mughelli on injured reserve, ending the fullback’s season.
Mughelli injured his right knee during Sunday’s victory in Detroit. Lions safety Louis Delmas hit Mughelli’s knee during a tackle in the fourth quarter following a 4-yard reception.
Mughelli did not return after the injury and was on crutches following the game.
The Falcons signed Mike Cox on Tuesday to replace Mughelli. Cox, who played at Georgia Tech, signed as an undrafted free agent with the Chiefs in 2008. A 6-foot-2, 252-pounder, he played in Kansas City for three seasons. He is the brother of Lucas Cox, also of Georgia Tech, who was in training camp with the Falcons this year.
Mughelli, who made the Pro Bowl last season, had four receptions for 25 yards and two touchdowns this season. He had two carries for one yard. He has cleared the way for much of running back Michael Turner’s 621 yards this season. Mughelli injured his right knee in the season opener against the Bears, missing only practice time.
The Falcons also worked out Mike Karney, Jason McKiee, Lousaka Polite, former Georgia fullback Verron Haynes and Demitri Nance on Tuesday.
- Chris Vivlamore
160 comments Add your comment
YoYo
October 25th, 2011
5:37 pm
Bring back Thor Merrow, Home Grown Talent
JoFo
October 25th, 2011
5:42 pm
D-Led, why aren’t FALCONS fans screaming and coaches complaining about the cheap, nasty shot designed to intentionally take out a player’s knee!!???
Mat"T"
October 25th, 2011
5:43 pm
IT IS THE CHRIS VIVLAMORE CURSE!!!! Next he will be on Toronto radio discussing Franchise Sale negotiations of the Falcons to Toronto!!!! Break the curse AJC, break the curse!
B-face
October 25th, 2011
5:50 pm
Herschel Walker still wants to play
tt44
October 25th, 2011
5:51 pm
Get Well man! you are in our prayers!
drmaryb .(*_*).
October 25th, 2011
5:54 pm
OVIE?
Just DAMN!!!!!
Supes
October 25th, 2011
5:56 pm
Not Good…we are going to greatly miss Ovie in the running game. He is a beast of a FB and opposing defenses know it. Freak accident play, don’t think the Detroit DB who came up to make the tackle meant any harm. Wishing Ovie a fast and successful recovery. GO FALCONS!
drmaryb .(*_*).
October 25th, 2011
6:01 pm
Matt Ryan!
Matt had a MRI today … Hold your breath fellas! I hate to see Ovie go down for the season, the only solace is that Matt is OK – I hope.
Geez-Us! Is that Turner I hear screeching in the background? Who is gonna’ open the holes now? Ovie was a Pro Bowler @ his position (the only FB @ that). There was no one better than Ovie in the whole wide world!!!
This really hurts bad. Do I hear MM drawing up some boot-legs right & left to put Michael in space? I sure hope so.
Source: Falcons FB Mughelli out for season » Falcons Gab
October 25th, 2011
6:02 pm
[...] The Falcons have decided to place fullback Ovie Mughelli on injured reserve according a person familiar with the situation, via D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. [...]
Steve-O
October 25th, 2011
6:02 pm
SeenThisB4
October 25th, 2011
5:13 pm
GOOD !!! So What
__________________________________________________________________________________
SeenThisB4, are you really cheering a season-ending injury?
Brownie
October 25th, 2011
6:16 pm
Big Crimson at 5:17 makes a good point about Snelling offering more options offensively than Ovie, but its still a loss.
In reality, Snelling isn’t a great long term option at FB, and you’re not gonna find anyone better in late october. So, why not think just a little outside the box….we’ve got Palmer and Kelly as back-up TE’s, and Gallardo at TE on the practice squad. All of them are 6′4″+ ~ 240 to 260 lbs. – great size for a FB, they’re all fairly quick, definitely can block, like to hit, and have decent hands for a check-down throw. I know, it’s not that simple, but “run left, run right, hit somebody” is the resume for a FB.
I’d rather keep Snelling a little fresher for giving Turner a break, or when he goes down with an injury (hopefully not).
Chuck U. Barkley
October 25th, 2011
6:16 pm
Turrible, just turrible.
Tom Pridemore was tough
October 25th, 2011
6:29 pm
worse news I’ve heard all day…but I guess I knew Sunday…crap…a big loss..get better Ovie..you’re a darn good Falcon and an even better person…Anybody that doesn’t like/respect Ovie needs to see a shrink…
falsonsavvy89
October 25th, 2011
6:39 pm
I believe Atlanta signed Mike Cox
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d823779b1/article/falcons-sign-fullback-cox-after-mughelli-placed-on-ir?module=HP11_headline_stack
falsonsavvy89
October 25th, 2011
6:42 pm
correction it says so in the post lol
john
October 25th, 2011
6:48 pm
Where is Bubba Bean when you need him?
drmaryb .(*_*).
October 25th, 2011
6:57 pm
OVIE BABY!!!!!
Get well soon, BEEFCAKE!!!
Ladies, hold me down, because I’m about to EXPLODE!!!
Injury Bug
October 25th, 2011
7:01 pm
Nibble nibble nibble- I’m gettin’ y’all little by little. Wait till someone smaks that weakned ankle on the master of melt . hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
Gwinnett Fred
October 25th, 2011
7:02 pm
If nothing else, the bye week comes at a perfect time.
Ryan, Jones, White, Abraham (and probably many others) get a chance to heal up. The new fullback gets time to learn the system at a little less than breakneck pace.
And I HOPE the offensive line can work on their cohesiveness a little. It’s too good of a group to have had so many breakdowns this year. Ryan has been sacked too many times and I can’t remember the last time they cleared any kind of a hole for Turner on a 3rd & short or goal to go from the 1. Ryan doesn’t need to be QB sneaking it as much has he has – injury risk too great.
Nice they can take a break coming off a couple wins, but hope they don’t get too comfortable thinking all they have to do is show up in Indy next week to collect a W – the NFL just doesn’t work that way!
GO BIRDS!!!
Tech Fan Since 1950
October 25th, 2011
7:05 pm
Finally the Falcons have done something smart. Signing one of the Cox brothers is about the best thing they can do to replace Ovie. Mike and/or Lucas are great blockers. There should be no drop-off for Turner if he follows his blocks.
Joey M
October 25th, 2011
7:09 pm
This is a big loss. We are not very deep at the FB position. I wonder if we could sign Matt Asiata and give him some reps at FB. Unfortunately, there just are not very many serviceable FB caliber players available.
Greg Moundine
October 25th, 2011
7:10 pm
Go get T.O. now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
hiramsaint
October 25th, 2011
7:12 pm
yeah bacause he’s a wonderful fullback . greg , you probably don’t even know which end of a football bat to hold!
Greg Moundine
October 25th, 2011
7:15 pm
make a statement. We have a bye week to work him in. This season ticket holder wants him!
Greg Moundine
October 25th, 2011
7:16 pm
I do not debate with dummies. Our guys will see you on field!
Hit A Single
October 25th, 2011
7:32 pm
Ovie, get well and we appreciate the job you do. You are a great example of a team guy.
SirReal
October 25th, 2011
7:37 pm
I dont like Sneeling at FB full time. He isnt built to take on LBs every single down. MM us gonna have to get creative with some 2 TE sets and some singleback formations. I can see a lot of stretches and plunges being run from that formation. 34 is a HUGE loss so they’ll have to account for it somehow. I just hope they dont become too pass happy again b/c we dont have the linemen for that yet.
Tyler
October 25th, 2011
7:38 pm
Its OK. Jason Snelling is a beast.
Joey M
October 25th, 2011
7:39 pm
Does anybody know if Heath Evans is playing or if he decided to stay retired? He could be a good addition.
Falcon Dude
October 25th, 2011
7:50 pm
Dang! Ovie is a HUGE part of this team. We’ll miss him.
BOB CHRISTIAN
October 25th, 2011
7:53 pm
HEY TD & SMITTY!! GIVE ME A CALL……………..I’VE STILL GOT GAME!!!!
Jim
October 25th, 2011
7:57 pm
Both injuries looked bad at first.
Ovie’s, you knew was bad. The DB really didn’t really have a choice considering Ovie is like 260 and he looked to be maybe 175. The article doesn’t say but I’m with Eric and think it’s his MCL.
When Matt went down, I like many others thought that was it. But then, right exactly on time and target, Matt comes in and hits HD for a 49 yd slant pass that was beautifully thrown. Matt really stepped up as the leader of this team.
I think that Snelling will be playing more FB now, and that JRodgers will get more touches.
26belly
October 25th, 2011
8:12 pm
Since we’re resurrecting attempting Methuselah for the fullback slot. Lets go old school…is Mark Van-eeghen available? Gosh its been so long did I spell his name right?
Michael M.
October 25th, 2011
8:22 pm
That was a cheap shot on Ovie anyway …..of course it dont matter now but The Birds will be alright .
hiramsaint
October 25th, 2011
8:33 pm
mikey…and the failclowns are never guilty of that are they?
FalconJim
October 25th, 2011
8:45 pm
Tough luck, Ovie. Get well soon…we need you!!!
zbulldawg
October 25th, 2011
8:49 pm
that’s a shame,he’s one of the toughest men in the NFL!!!!!!!!! a great team player,an awsome MAN and a motor that never stops!!!!! Best wishes Bulldozer You’ll come back stronger than ever. Wonder what happen to the fullback UGA had the last 3 yrs? He was very good also.
falconfan 24-7
October 25th, 2011
9:01 pm
Jamaal Anderson is too busy snorting coke.
Steve-O
October 25th, 2011
9:09 pm
hiramsaint
October 25th, 2011
8:33 pm
mikey…and the failclowns are never guilty of that are they?
Link
Report this comment
__________________________________________________________________________________
Hiram, you are never on these blogs after a Saints loss, are you? I challenge you to find any video evidence of a Falcons defensive player taking out an opponent’s knee and putting him out for the season like Delmas did to Mughelli. Until you prove your point by actually backing up your opinions with facts, you are just another blog troller spewing vitriol. Feel free to post any link of a Falcons defensive player taking out a knee. Good luck with that.
OH-vie NO!!
October 25th, 2011
9:11 pm
That;s not good. He’s the train that drives the running game. He has been great for the Falcons and will be missed. Ovie, who hails from THE Wake Forest University is the best thing to come out of W-S since the Krispy Kreme doughnut.
I’m not too sure about Cox, – Heath Evans, Mike Karney and Shaun Chapas are looking for work. I think I’d add another FB as Snelling is going to wear down in that role.
Firsttimer
October 25th, 2011
9:18 pm
Bad news indeed! bigcrimson75-Ovie was a good short yardage receiver as well, but , the one area Snelling cannot replace him will be the lead wham block on a linebacker creating the hole for Turner. It’s time for coaches to earn their paychecks. Best of luck in rehab, Ovie. However, the train indeed keeps on rolling and so will the Falcons. On a brighter note, CONGRATS to Tony G. Canton awaits you.
SeenThisB4- I will not dignify your comments with a response. After all no more could be expected from an Aints fan. The Falcons will continue to roll and in two weeks will be tied for or on top of the NFC. I smell back to back Conference Champs.
BobDawg
October 25th, 2011
9:19 pm
@PMC. That was the chippiest football team ever. Challenging the falcons out of the tunnel. I’m a huge Matt Stafford fan but the Lions (er, Cubs) need to grow up.
ninobrown
October 25th, 2011
9:33 pm
I have a lot of respect for Ovie. Falcons are our hated rival, but I hate injuries more; especially to such a classy guy. FB’s have become a forgotten position in today’s NFL. Ovie was the best of the current true FB’s. Who Dat?
atl_native
October 25th, 2011
9:41 pm
They cheap shot Gonzales early in the game. Luckily no harm. Kept doin it til Ovie got hurt. I knew it! These helmet-to-knee shots have to be OUTLAWED!
Hobbler
October 25th, 2011
9:43 pm
Best idea I saw on this blog was to sign Hershel Walker to team for the remainder of year. He is still a beast and in shape and can slobber knock block for the rest of the year for Turner, fill up the stands, player coach the RBs, and get all the networks covering the Falcons. Oh yeah, and a pretty high character guy too.
hiramsaint
October 25th, 2011
10:01 pm
listen to all the failclown fans complaining after they already have the rep as being dirty players. sux when the shoe is on the other foot as evidenced by all your whining. i guess if your team doesn’t have any football skills then you have resort to dirty play. your playoff record as of late exemplifies my point. dirty players sit home in jan.
SeenThisB4
October 25th, 2011
10:05 pm
As usual, someone else has hijacked my blog name. So No, I don’t cheer for anyone to get hurt, much less have season ending injuries, and that goes for your players too. Cheering injuries is low brow, and more the mode operandi of falca’nt fans.
My guess is that the imposter was probably cheering when Sean Payton got his knee taken out last week.
But injuries are a part of the game, an uncontrolable veriable that not only can level the playing field, it can change the entire field altogether. Just ask the colts.
G E A U X S A I N T S ! ! ! !
Brick Head O Reilly
October 25th, 2011
10:15 pm
Ovie Mughelli was the silent power blocker for “Freight Train” Turner. Hang tough and help us next year. Good luck with rehab. Falcons need silent warriors like him in the line up.
Injured knee puts Falcons’ Mughelli out for season | NFL Online News
October 25th, 2011
10:19 pm
[...] Atlanta Falcons This entry was posted in Atlanta Falcons and tagged Falcons’, injured, knee, Mughelli, puts, season. Bookmark the permalink. ← Falcons lose Pro Bowl FB Mughelli to season-ending injury [...]
Tommy Gunn
October 25th, 2011
10:20 pm
Cowher is ready to return. Time to can the old idiot on the sideline and hire a real winning coach.