Atlanta Falcons: Svitek out for the season (updated)
Vivlamore reporting from Flowery Branch.
Will Svitek, the Falcons backup left tackle, will miss the upcoming season after sustaining an upper right arm injury.
The injury occurred during Sunday’s practice, the final of training camp, and coach Mike Smith made the announcement Monday.
“It’s bad news for Will,” Smith said. “…We’ve cross-trained some guys [at different offensive line positions] early on. It’s something we’ll have to adjust to and start cross-training some more. One man’s misfortune is another’s opportunity.”
Svitek was entering the final year of his contract worth $1.751 million. He served as the primary backup to Sam Baker, protecting quarterback Matt Ryan’s blind side. Svitek started the final 11 games last season, including the playoffs, at the position following injuries to Baker.
That leaves the Falcons with Mike Johnson and rookie Lamar Holmes as the primary backup to Baker. Johnson is the backup at right tackle. Holmes, a third-round draft pick, has not played in either exhibition game this season after missing most of the offseason with a broken toe. Smith said Holmes would see significant time in the third exhibition game, Friday at the Dolphins.
Smith would not say whether the Falcons would add a player to the roster to replace Svitek.
“We’ve got a lot of time and effort invested in the guys we have on our roster and I wouldn’t speak to any roster moves based on what happened [Sunday] to Will,” Smith said.
- Chris Vivlamore
THE LATEST NEWS
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Running back Michael Turner still a weapon
Falcons thin at left tackle after Will Svitek goes down; out for season
Falcons finally get fiesty in practice; a couple of fights breakout
Akeem Dent returns to practice; will play against Miami
OTHER NEWS
Dominique Davis in hunt for No. 2 quarterback position
GAME STORY: Bengals 24, Falcons 19
SIDEBAR: Matt Ryan won’t call himself an elte QB after completed 18 of 21
Asante Samuel admits to relaxing on A.J. Green’s touchdown catch
A.J. Green and Julio Jones shine in exhibition game
VIDEO: Matt Ryan, Lousaka Polite featured after loss to Bengals
VIDEO: Post game presser with head coach Mike Smith
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123 comments Add your comment
falconsrus
August 20th, 2012
4:17 pm
bummer
Jesse
August 20th, 2012
4:19 pm
Lamar better be the real deal…..
Falcons4life
August 20th, 2012
4:21 pm
What left tackle is still available because Sam Baker scares me
Sick & Tired Of Being Sick & Tired
August 20th, 2012
4:22 pm
This is NOT GOOD!!!! Hopefully they will try to find another OT from the waiver wire because Sam Baker is definitely not it.
JC Boscan III
August 20th, 2012
4:24 pm
Uhhhh, that’s not a good thing. Time to scavenge the waiver wires??
Fanatic Falcon Fan (F3)
August 20th, 2012
4:24 pm
huhhhhh? Arm???
So, we are left with Sam Baker, an injured 3rd round pick,and prayer???
JAYCOOL
August 20th, 2012
4:27 pm
WTF we need him! This is not good news at all.
Mister.Earl
August 20th, 2012
4:30 pm
NFL football is facing a new reality with injuries. Forget the concussion troubles for a moment, players are injured at an alarming rate due to the violence and speed of the game. 300 pound OLinemen are the norm where 225 was once considered large.
The equipment has not kept pace with the ferocity of te game. In one local example, The New Orleans Saints have no fewer than five linebackers on injured reserve or in serious treatment.
Only the teams that have quality depth will survive
Unfortunately, the Falcons are not one of them.
Spud Webb
August 20th, 2012
4:32 pm
Waiver wires for a left tackle??? NOT GOOD….join the many, many teams that need one, Jets, Steelers, Falcons, Eagles, Cardinals….
TD critic
August 20th, 2012
4:35 pm
A team that is going to the Super Bowl signs Lofton.
We trained him and now the Saints will be the ones to benefit.
Akeem Dent will prove to be the better linebacker?
He better be if TD wants me off his back.
W. R. Terrell
August 20th, 2012
4:36 pm
Let’s not panic about the backup left tackle and backup is the keyword. We may not be pleased with Sam Baker but the offensive line coach has brought in a new blocking scheme that may be suited more to Sam’s strengths There’s competition going on in this camp, it’s a make or break season for coaches and players. The left takle position will be key but so are all the “O” line positions. Lets see what good coaching can do to inspire great competion whereas a star is born and if that fails then we pick up good news with a trade or 2nd hand news via the wavir wire.
Trainwreck
August 20th, 2012
4:39 pm
That’s no good. Wish Svitek the fastest recovery possible for whatever the upper arm injury is. Hopefully Sam is ready to step up. Not great news but good teams find ways to get past things like this.
Falcons Girl
August 20th, 2012
4:40 pm
Mister. Earl – shut up…seriously…
Mister.Earl
August 20th, 2012
4:40 pm
WR Terrell – nice try. Coaching and schemes are no substitute for talent.
The Falcons drop off with their reserves is significant and the whole league knows it.
Two more pre season games to go.
Ouch.
buckhead benny
August 20th, 2012
4:42 pm
D. Orlando- Now you see what I have been giving you hell for the last couple of weeks of why this high third round pick hasn’t touched the filed yet?? Dude you need to be on the field as a high third round pick period- with the amount of underclassmen that come out each year its like a second round pick now….
Mister.Earl
August 20th, 2012
4:42 pm
Falcons Girl – I feel your pain. The truth hurts.
“Don’t shoot me, I’m only the piano player”
Mister.Earl
August 20th, 2012
4:45 pm
One more thing Falcons Girl – what part of what was written bothers you so much that you feel the need to censor my opinion?
Is this America?
Just Sayin.....
August 20th, 2012
4:45 pm
Superbowl huh?
True Falcon Fan
August 20th, 2012
4:47 pm
This news is NOT good!
TD let’s fire-up the Jet – someone is out there we need to sign a backup for Baker!!!!!
Go Falcons!
Michael M.
August 20th, 2012
4:57 pm
Its the shock of another injury M.E, they don’t want to hear it but its the way it is……….
Falconfan85
August 20th, 2012
5:06 pm
Any word on Merrimen ? Heard he was released by Bills. Would like to see in a Falcons Uniform.
BoDawg
August 20th, 2012
5:14 pm
Bakers health concerns me, not his ability.
Coach Bob
August 20th, 2012
5:14 pm
Every team suffers injuries, good teams persevere mediocre teams do not.
Coach Bob
August 20th, 2012
5:16 pm
Yes, the word on Merrimen is that he is washed up.
Big Crimson 75
August 20th, 2012
5:25 pm
Time to see what Holmes is all about.
3rd round picks must contribute.
Baker is playing well this pre-season.
The Falcons will only carry 8 Linemen during the Season, so Svitek was actually a cut-candidate.
Baker, Blalock, McClure, Reynolds & Clabo project to start. The back-ups are likely Holmes, Konz & Hawley. Mike Johnson & the president Andrew Jackson are likely/hopefully done!
CaliDirtyBird
August 20th, 2012
5:27 pm
@ TD Critic
Lofton has a high ankle sprain… That is likely to keep him out much longer than the concussion to Dent… Thank God TD is the GM and not you!
Ken
August 20th, 2012
5:30 pm
OH NO NOT BAker at LT.. The worse OT in the NFL.. The saddest person on the team right now has to be Matt Ryan! My prays are with you Matt. Coach move Clabo to LT and put the Rookie Homes at RT.
Cleveland Ave Turk.
August 20th, 2012
5:32 pm
Yeah this will hurt….But keep ho pe alive. I got a feeling Sam Baker Is going to step up this year. ITS TIME TO CLOSE RANKS FALCONS NATION AND STAND BEHIND OUR TEAM. LETS GET IT!!!!!
Ted
August 20th, 2012
5:33 pm
Let the usual O-Line excuses begin.
SirReal
August 20th, 2012
5:36 pm
W.Terell- Sorry but the glass just isnt half full in this situation my friend. Baker’s garbage and everyone on this blog knows it.
Well thats gonna make for an interesting adjustment. Hopefully Holmes will give us something. We’re definitely stuck with Baker now…I dont see many good LTs out there looking for work. Thats probably why they arent committed to the waiver wire right about now. If only Marcus McNeill was healthy enough…..
I agree that the harsh reality is guys get hurt. Its a very violent sport…may not seem that way when many of us fans are enjoying our beverages on the couch or at the game but the hits hurt and wear the body down. I wish him a speedy recovery. Many a day we forget these MEN are human beings with families,etc.
Gamer
August 20th, 2012
5:37 pm
ARE YOU KIDDING, ANOTHER STARTER INJURY………IS THE FALCONS SEASON DISINTEGRATING DURING PRESEASON?
WHAT THE INJURY BUG CAMPING OUT AT FLOWERY BRANCH?
WHO IS FALCONS PHYSICAL TRAINER?
NO MORE INJURIES, PLEASE……
FALCONS ON THREE, DOMINATE….
tt44
August 20th, 2012
5:45 pm
Uh oh! Here we go! The Falcons MUST get a replacement…I always thought Johnson out of Ala..will make a mark..but, remains to be seen..come on Johnson! Go Falcons!
Peter
August 20th, 2012
5:45 pm
This brings us back to the comments Chuck the King Oliver stated many times…….the Falcon’s have very little in the way of NFL back ups, mostly guys who would not make other NFL teams rosters.
This season is not starting out well for the falcon’s.we have already seen how the second unit fares against two teams, and it has not been pretty.
Jean Claude Killy
August 20th, 2012
5:48 pm
Its all Jeff Fish’s fault,, right JSS
Atlanta Falcons: Peria Jerry performing well in Peters’ absence | Atlanta Falcons
August 20th, 2012
5:59 pm
[...] Falcons thin at left tackle after Will Svitek goes down; out for season [...]
Seen This B4
August 20th, 2012
6:00 pm
@Esquire: See, you didn’t need a whole to expend a whole lot of patience did ya? Karma’s a beetch isn’t it?!
Stepchild
August 20th, 2012
6:02 pm
Trent Cole of the Eagles can’t wait to play against Sam Baker again!
Michael M.
August 20th, 2012
6:05 pm
Seen…..you gonna make em mad over here………………………………..
single white dove
August 20th, 2012
6:06 pm
Sam Baker is weak. I was surprised that the falcons didnt try to pick up a pro-bowel caliper player in the off season.
single white dove
August 20th, 2012
6:08 pm
@Seen This B4
August 20th, 2012
6:00 pm
If it wasnt for a hurricane that destroyed New Orleans, The saints would not of won a super bowl.
Another Rick
August 20th, 2012
6:08 pm
I b da$%!
single white dove
August 20th, 2012
6:09 pm
Caliber, sorry for the typo…
Seen This B4
August 20th, 2012
6:10 pm
Michael: I butchered up my last post….but my point got across.
Seen This B4
August 20th, 2012
6:13 pm
@Single White Dove: Okay. Sooooo, what’s your point?
Greg
August 20th, 2012
6:13 pm
I’ve been very hard on Baker’s performance in the past, but to be fair, Smith says he’s been injured continually. He also says Baker is healthy now. Maybe he will show us something this season. I do expect Dimitroff to pick up an OT from somewhere.
thouhtful
August 20th, 2012
6:14 pm
See this is what’s a matter with Coach Smith and TD! They are so busy trying to make their DRAFTS look good that they miss out on the true goal and that is to get to the SUER BOWL. Forget the effort invested!!! Go get guys who can make an impact. You need to protect Ryan, Turner etc. You need to have time to get the ball to the AllSta receiving corps you have. It is not o your roster stop playing with Blank’s money. If you fall short of the PLAYOFFS you will loose confidence of the people. Stop it right now, go get the best players you can, PLEASE!
Seen This B4
August 20th, 2012
6:16 pm
@Single White Dove: LOL! So, you correct your error with the word caliber, but you don’t touch the word “bowel”. …..Of course, you probably did mean to use the word bowel!
Michael M.
August 20th, 2012
6:23 pm
Whats your team’s injury report status STB4 ?………………………………slim, dim and getting grim ?
single white dove
August 20th, 2012
6:23 pm
My point is your team is not as bad as you would like them to be. It also took a natural disaster to get the Saints a World Championship. Not by their own accord.
single white dove
August 20th, 2012
6:25 pm
@Michael M.
August 20th, 2012
6:23 pm
Dont think for a second that Sean Peyton wont be coaching the team from a remote site. With the technology that is present, it is possible.