Falcons fantasy injury report: Mathews is questionable
Dominique Franks slices his way through Raven defenders for a long return during first quarter of an exhibition game last month. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM
FLOWERY BRANCH — Falcons cornerback Christopher Owens (concussion) and running back Antone Smith (hamstring) have been declared out for the game against the San Diego Chargers at 4:05 p.m. Sunday on the team’s official injury report.
Chargers offensive tackle Jared Gaither (back) and cornerback Shareece Wright (foot) were also declared out for the game on their official injury report.
With Owens out, Dominique Franks will take over at nickel back for the Falcons. Franks played 82 percent of the snaps (60 of 73) against Denver. Smith plays on several of the special teams.
Starting right tackle Tyson Clabo (hip) and weakside linebacker Sean Weatherspoon (thigh) were limited in Friday’s practice and were listed as questionable for the game. Under league rules, the questionable designation means there’s a 50-50 chance that they’ll play.
The Falcons will go through a walk-through at PetCo Park on Saturday.
Clabo and Weatherspoon were both questionable last week and played against Denver. Clabo played 100 percent (67 of 67) of the offensive snaps and Weatherspoon played 100 percent (73 of 73) of the defensive snaps.
Defensive end John Abraham (knee), wide receiver Julio Jones (thigh), linebacker Stephen Nicholas (thigh) and wide receiver Roddy White (knee) all fully participated in Friday’s practice after being limited on Thursday. They all were listed as probable for the game.
For the Chargers, running back Curtis Brinkley (knee), wide receiver Ed Royal (shoulder), running back Ryan Mathews (clavicle), tight end Antonio Gates (ribs) and tight Dante Rosario (calf) fully participated in Friday’s practice.
Mathews was listed as questionable. All of the other Chargers were listed as probable. Falcons coach Mike Smith said the Falcons are preparing to see Mathews and Gates in the lineup for the Chargers.
FALCONS WEDNSDAY INJURY REPORT (THERE WERE NO CHANGES ON THURSDAY’S REPORT:
By Michael Cunningham
FLOWERY BRANCH — Falcons running back Antone Smith (hamstring) and corneback Christopher Owens (head) did not participate in practice today.
Tackle Tyson Clabo (hip), defense end John Abraham, linebackers Sean Weatherspoon (thigh) and Stephen Nicholas (thigh), and wide receivers Roddy White (knee) and Julio Jones (thigh) were limited.
“The reason a lot of those guys are limited in their participation is [because] we are on a short week,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said. “There aren’t even 48 hours out from the end of the [Monday] ball game. We wanted to rest some of those guys.”
Falcons running back Antone Smith (hamstring) and corneback Christopher Owens (head) did not participate in practice today.
Tackle Tyson Clabo (hip), defense end John Abraham, linebackers Sean Weatherspoon (thigh) and Stephen Nicholas (thigh), and wide receivers Roddy White (knee) and Julio Jones (thigh) were limited.
“The reason a lot of those guys are limited in their participation is [because] we are on a short week,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said. “There aren’t even 48 hours out from the end of the [Monday] ball game. We wanted to rest some of those guys.”
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9 comments Add your comment
Billy
September 21st, 2012
2:56 pm
first!!!!!!
Billy
September 21st, 2012
2:59 pm
Hopefully the Falcons can move to 3-0 in the AFC west then they will be leading 2 divisions.
Jamaaliver
September 21st, 2012
4:04 pm
So…just to be sure:
The reason a lot of those guys are limited in their participation is because they’re are on a short week? There aren’t even 48 hours out from the end of the ball game?
ken
September 21st, 2012
6:22 pm
i would like to see more of CB McClain play. He had a pic on his only play I dont think Franks has a pic. Most of the time he is getting beat or defensive pass interference..
SirReal
September 21st, 2012
8:46 pm
I dont think the running game should be a problem for us this week. If they let a guy who’s just coming back from a broken clavicle gather 100 yards…we have a serious problem.
Doyle Hargraves
September 21st, 2012
8:47 pm
Ken, I was about to post the same thing. Not sure if McClain was playing CB or nickel when he got the INT, but I have been noticing him in the preseason as a baller. Instead of Franks getting a lot of playing time, I could see them sliding Dunta back into the nickel and putting McClain opposite Samuel. I was actually more worried about having Owens in there, hopefully he will prove me wrong when he gets healthy. LLYFF
JSS
September 21st, 2012
10:55 pm
Walk-through at “PetCo?”
Brian Hunt
September 22nd, 2012
10:30 am
With the nickle defense essentially being the base defense, the Falcons will be starting a corner back that they cut at the end of pre-season. This is a shot at redemption for Mr. Franks and I hope he takes advantage of his opportunity to RISE UP.
Chris
September 22nd, 2012
11:11 pm
Chargers still play at Qualcomm, Petco is the baseball Padres.