Atlanta Falcons: Lofa Tatupu out for the season
060612 FLOWERY BRANCH : Falcons linebacker Lofa Tatupu stretches for team practice at Flowery Branch on Wednesday, June 6, 2012. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM
On a day when the Falcons’ fans received their season tickets, they also got some bitter news.
Former Pro Bowl linebacker Lofa Tatupu, who was trying to make a comeback after sitting out last season, had pectoral surgery Tuesday that will knock him out for the 2012 season, according to head coach Mike Smith.
With the Falcons looking to replace leading tackler Curtis Lofton, Tatupu and Akeem Dent worked out with the first-team defense during the offseason.
Tatupu suffered the injury Thursday in the weight room and went to specialist Dr. James Andrews on Monday.
“We got a second opinion,” Smith said. “The second opinion confirmed the first opinion. He had a procedure done today and he will be out of the season.”
In other injury news, Falcons linebacker Stephen Nicholas (big toe) and offensive tackle Lamar Holmes (foot) have been cleared for training camp as the players are set to report Wednesday. While starting defensive tackle Corey Peters (foot) has not been medically cleared.
“[Peters] will have a follow up physical in about three weeks,” Smith said. “Corey is not going to be participating in training camp. We should have some more clarity in a few weeks.”
Tatupu signed to a two-year, $3.6 million contract in March. He received a guaranteed $600,000 signing bonus and had a $1.25 million playing time escalator clause in his contract.
Tatupu, 29, a three-time Pro Bowler, didn’t play in 2011 after spending six seasons with Seattle. He was a first-team All-Pro selection after the 2007 season. He contemplated retirement, but elected to give it another try with the Falcons.
In light of the injury, the Falcons are not sure if Tatupu plans to retire.
“Lofa just had the procedure done,” Smith said. “I haven’t had a conversation with him. We just want Lofa to get as healthy as he can. Right now, I’m sure that’s probably the farthest thing from his mind.”
On Monday, the Falcons signed veteran linebacker Mike Peterson, who can play all three linebacker positions and help Dent get ready for the season.
“Mike Peterson gives us some flexibility,” Smith said. “Last year, we drafted Dent as a middle linebacker. Now, he has the opportunity to grab that position.”
Peterson, 36, was a starter in 2009 and 2010 before shifting to a reserve role last season. He received a $50,000 signing bonus and a base salary of $910,000 in 2011. He was not tendered an offer, when his contract expired on March 13.
In 2011, he started five games and played in 15 before going on injured reserve with a torn triceps that required surgery.
Lofton, who led the Falcons in tackles with 159 last season, signed with the New Orleans Saints during free agency.
His departure left a hole in the middle of the defense.
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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152 comments Add your comment
First time Season Tix Holder
July 24th, 2012
6:28 pm
Do have his number or e mail? This is a huge disappointment. No way this guy will get a new stadium if he tries to rip off fans like me.
bart
July 24th, 2012
6:30 pm
The bodies of Pro athletes are taken to level which allows incredible performances but also seems to make them as fragile as Barbie dolls. I don’t ever remember athletes in the old days having near as many season ending injuries.
BigRon
July 24th, 2012
6:32 pm
Im more concerned with corey peters injury he is a good player our starter depth can be found at MLB defensive line to me is most important position on defense.gotta get him healthy.everything else will fall into place
Lofa Tatupu out for Season with Torn Pectoral Injury | :: Sparxxrx LLC ::
July 24th, 2012
6:34 pm
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution’s D. Orlando Ledbetter also reported that Falcons head coach Mike Smith told the press of the [...]
Falcons: Play 60!
July 24th, 2012
6:35 pm
“Tatupu received a guaranteed $600,000 signing bonus”
didn’t have to play a single regular season game and got 600K, I’d say that’s a sweet deal for him.
Rod "straight outta Augusta" Johnson
July 24th, 2012
6:49 pm
All I am going to say is….LB Jerrell Harris! roooooooooooooooooooooll tide!
John
July 24th, 2012
6:58 pm
first time season tix holder…there are 10 home games including pre-season and you have 10 tickets…am I missing something?
Matt from MN
July 24th, 2012
7:09 pm
Well, clearly this is ALL Matt Ryan’s fault. Right, “Choke and Gag”?
C'mon maan!
July 24th, 2012
7:10 pm
Falcons gamble and end up with a “lemon” How you gonna let our #1 tackler walk to our #1 rival the “Aints” C’mon maan..We shoulda gamble and bring in Channing Crowder instead of Mike Peterson..Mike is overrrated and old! We need younger legs out in the field..Falcons shoulda never went out and get Tapou, thats a BIG BLOW! Well lets see what we going to do with the rest of the guys..OH! and if y’all think that we shoulda bring back Brooking? He is washed up! He was good in his prime time for us to move on..
First time Season Tix Holder
July 24th, 2012
7:14 pm
John
July 24th, 2012
6:58 pm
first time season tix holder…there are 10 home games including pre-season and you have 10 tickets…am I missing something?
Yeah because it says in the front there are 2012 tickets. I’m short about 2000 tickets!
RAM265
July 24th, 2012
7:16 pm
Hey tommy “little” gun. Who typed this for you because we all know Aint’s fans can’t read or write. I’m guessing it was your nurse. But, anyway, either you are a transplant who loves N.O. so much you never went back or your in N.O. and have nothing better to do than have our paper read to you and try and defame a good town like ours. Which is it? Hit the red button so the nurse can type your answer.
RAM265
July 24th, 2012
7:23 pm
Sorry D. Led but he had it coming. Now, Bird talk. We’re going to have to make some cap room so who goes? This is not the first or last injury this year and we will need to fill more holes.
SeenThisB4
July 24th, 2012
7:24 pm
Told you all, if he was going to Dr James Andrews, that he was gone for the season. LOL! Bet y’all wish y’all had kept Lofton! LOL!
Ed Jones
July 24th, 2012
7:25 pm
I knew that guy was made from glass…the Heart of the Defense will not be strong this year. Look towards a 9-7 campaign this year.
robertussen
July 24th, 2012
7:25 pm
we still need to sign another lb and possibly a dt
tom
July 24th, 2012
7:47 pm
It seems every season some player rips a pec in the weight room. Are the trainers from each team not paying attention and advising these guys.
JSS
July 24th, 2012
7:52 pm
tom
July 24th, 2012
7:47 pm
“It seems every season some player rips a pec in the weight room. Are the trainers from each team not paying attention and advising these guys.”
Thus “Jeff (Torn Pec) Fish!” He’s a legend!
to real
July 24th, 2012
8:08 pm
This is no shock but we are thin @LB dent has to play all 16 plus games @ a high level and we still need to sign crowder peterson is a better weak and strong side back up LB to bad for lofa his career is now ova go ahead and cut em cuz we dont need anymore side line cheerleaders
GT GRAD
July 24th, 2012
8:09 pm
Keith Brooking!
No doubt he is a much better MLB than Tatupu or Peterson. I would love to see him playing for the Falcons again.
ben
July 24th, 2012
8:47 pm
E J HENDERSON
mars
July 24th, 2012
8:50 pm
Probably would prefer having Mike Peterson anyway. I was always happy with his play, which makes him a rarity on the defenses of the past few seasons.
Atlanta Falcons: Lofa Tatupu out for the season - Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) | Atlanta Informer
July 24th, 2012
8:52 pm
[...] sitting out last season, had pectoral surgery Tuesday that will … Full News here – Atlanta – Bing News ← Beyond The Forecast with David Chandley: Did the rain help the drought? [...]
Falcons/Hawks Fan
July 24th, 2012
9:12 pm
Shouldn’t the strength and conditioning coach who was resigned during the offseason face the questions on this injury? Why did this injury even happen to start with?
Very
July 24th, 2012
9:22 pm
It is time for a Kurt Warner story at the Linebacker position.
Very
July 24th, 2012
9:23 pm
Recruiting at Krogers and Publix NOW
Jay
July 24th, 2012
9:37 pm
Great signing Dmitroff! That sure worked out well! Shoulda just paid Lofton.
JSS
July 24th, 2012
9:39 pm
Falcons/Hawks Fan
July 24th, 2012
9:12 pm
“Shouldn’t the strength and conditioning coach who was resigned during the offseason face the questions on this injury? Why did this injury even happen to start with?”
Again, “Jeff (Torn Pec) Fish!”
C’mon where’s that winner who post the NY Times article lauding his greatness?
Rick
July 24th, 2012
9:43 pm
Thanks for clearing up that salary cap info DLED, looks like some people on here were wrong again! This is a young mans leauge now so its Dent’s job. No more talke of “stepping up” you get paid to play and Dent is a player! Simple! UGA produces pro players and the leauge is full of GaDawgs. It is now his job to the be the “next”. Come on Dent the Rise Up Nation is behind you, go and do what you have done your whole life, be the difference!
Just Sayin.....
July 24th, 2012
9:44 pm
How can the Eagles have more talent than they can use and Dimitroff keeps signing crap?
nfcchampsliveinga
July 24th, 2012
9:54 pm
Akeem Dent is another CL50, but more athletic. I see him making some mistakes early, but becoming more solid down the stretch. Dent was a hitter at UGA and I expect the same in the NFL. Next man up!
FAlcons24
July 24th, 2012
10:01 pm
We will be just fine with Dent and even a Channing Crowder. I feel really bad for Lofa, because he is a model player and good all around guy. Dent was more than likely to start anyway. All that love Curtis Lofton, he was a fat and slow tackler. Your MLB need to be a thumper and that he wasn’t. Why you all think he did not make the Pro Bowl year after year. Patrick Willis and Jonathan Vilma had more impact plays. Let him sta in New Orleans and run behind some TE’s.
Greg
July 24th, 2012
10:02 pm
JSS is right on it: this kind of injury should NEVER, NEVER happen. It’s unbelievable that a long-term pro would do this to himself. Lifting Safely 101 is a college-level weight room requirement. The pros are expected to be way beyond that. This is among the most bone-headed things I’ve ever heard of. Smitty needs to find out how the hell Lofa got into his lifting regime and who authorized it.
Who Me?
July 24th, 2012
10:25 pm
Should have signed Lofton, now we’re putting a linebacker corps together with string…
JSS
July 24th, 2012
10:27 pm
He’s had torn pecs in season… He’s had ‘em now in the pre-season (Tatapu), and he’s never had to answer for it…
vuduchld
July 24th, 2012
10:35 pm
Who cares? Lofa Tatupu flamed out two seasons ago. These “Turkey birds” just plain stink, they’ll be “one and done”, like year.
Mikefalcon63
July 24th, 2012
10:38 pm
The Falcons are not going to be missing Curtis Lofton this season… Ask the random Aints fans who comment on every Falcons article if they ever worried when playing us because we had Lofton. The answer would be NO. So why freak out b/c now we have no has been middle linebacker named Tatupu? Dent will be fine at MLB. He is ready, and I would not bet against this Shiller kid they brought in to camp.
The Real Falcon
July 24th, 2012
10:44 pm
Not surprised, no one comes back from that in season. Now a position of strength is one of weekness.
Just got my season tickets today as well!
Just Sayin.....
July 24th, 2012
10:47 pm
So what happens to this regime if Tampa, Carolina & the Saints get hot this season?
Saints R.E.A.M.
July 24th, 2012
10:57 pm
Mike falcon, fool yourself if you want. If losing a past probowl player won’t hurt the team then why was he signed in the first place….seems you think anyone can do his job, huh? With Nolan’s 3/4 defense you will need backers!!!
nfcchampsliveinga
July 24th, 2012
11:02 pm
Atlanta isnt concerned with everyone else in the division. People forget that Atlanta had the 12th best dedfense in the NFL and the best D in the NFC South. The only difference from last year and this year is Dent playing MLB and the addition of AS22 in the secondary. Its going to take more than a Tatupu injury for this D to take a step back.
Todd A.
July 24th, 2012
11:11 pm
Way to go Dimitroff.
papa bear
July 24th, 2012
11:12 pm
with everyone else improving in the NFC South the Falcon did little of nothing,to improve a team that can’t beat teams with winning records,so here we go again,we have a mediocre head coach,a good qb ,but certainly not great,good receivers but inconsistent against better teams,and nothing seems to point to this team getting of the field on third down against good teams any better then last year.This team scares no one,it will be a fight for third in the NFC South with Tampa bay,—— (1)Panthers,(2) Saints,(3)Bucs,(4) Falcons at 7-9 or 6-10.
nfcchampsliveinga
July 24th, 2012
11:28 pm
@papa bear, 7-9 or 6-10, I do not think so. This team has been consistently viable at the end of the regular season. Again unless, hit by the injury bug, I dont see that happening. Plan A to have Tatupu in as a reserve failed, on to plan B, bring by MP53 for insurance. The team did the best they could with the draft and free agency. People underrate team chemistry, which the Falcons have on both sides of the ball. The Saints have to build chemstry on D that was already an eye soar. Carolina is transitioning from a 4-3 to a 3-4 D, growing pains there. Lastly Tampa cant stop the run or pass, and a rookie safety and LB will patch all those holes up. The truth is our rival teams made huge changes because they had to. Personally, Ill take Atlantas D minus Tatupu over any other D in the NFC South.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
July 24th, 2012
11:32 pm
papa bear — The Falcons made 17 moves. Hired new coordinators, a new offensive line coach and a new defensive back coachs. They like their talent and are putting the onus on the coaches to improve. They are counting on the coaching to improve their mostly young talent. (They don’t think it’s fair to say they did “nothing to improve.”)
D. Orlando Ledbetter
July 24th, 2012
11:34 pm
Just Sayin…… — Nothing. Look at the previous 42 seasons before 2008.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
July 24th, 2012
11:35 pm
Who Me? — They drafted Akeem Dent in the third round just for this scenario.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
July 24th, 2012
11:37 pm
Very — Keep an eye on Max Gruder for your Kurt Warner story.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
July 24th, 2012
11:38 pm
robertussen – They have worked out tight end Daniel Graham.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
July 24th, 2012
11:39 pm
SeenThisB4 — They drafted Akeem Dent to take Lofton’s spot (check knees).
papa bear
July 24th, 2012
11:39 pm
For those who see a the injury a a back up lb being thoughts for worry,how do you people sleep at night,if you serious think this team is a super bowl contender,when you have a tackle shy qb in Ryan and a back up behind him who likely couldn’t make a practice squad with the other 31 teams in Redman,if Ryans goes down the first game,this team is playing the season for the first pick in the draft