Sean Weatherspoon is out for Sunday’s game vs. Dallas
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Sean Weatherspoon (56) reacts during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)
FLOWERY BRANCH–With Sean Weatherspoon out of Sunday’s game against Dallas with an ankle injury, second-year linebacker Akeem Dent and veteran Mike Peterson will get more action, Falcons head coach Mike Smith said Thursday.
“I want to be as transparent as I can be,” Smith said. “We’ve ruled out two players for the game this week. Sean Weatherspoon will not play this week. Nor will Kevin Cone. Those are the two guys that we made a determination on. They are not going to be available for this week’s game.”
Dent, the team’s middle linebacker in the base attack, played some outside linebacker against Oakland on Oct. 14 when Stephen Nicholas was slowed by an ankle injury.
“It’s no different for me,” Dent said. “I always watch Sean when he’s in there. I’m getting mental reps if I’m not in the game or in practice.”
Dent will start in the nickel package, which the Falcons used on a majority of their defensive snap under defensive coordinator Mike Nolan. When they used their 4-3 base defense, Peterson will play Weatherspoon’s outside linebacker spot.
Weatherspoon, who is being treated for a low right ankle sprain, did not practice Thursday. He was injured on a tackle attempt against Eagles running back LeSean McCoy in the fourth quarter of Atlanta’s 30-17 victory.
He walked through the locker room carrying a sandwich, but didn’t speak to the media.
Falcons guard Garrett Reynolds (back) and wide receiver Kevin Cone (groin) also sat out practice Thursday.
Falcons wide receivers Harry Douglas (knee/ankle) and Roddy White (back) fully participated in practice after being limited on Wednesday.
Defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux (knee), kicker Matt Bryant (back) and wide receivers Drew Davis (hamstring) were limited on Thursday.
For Dallas, wide receiver Dez Bryant (hip) and running back DeMarco Murray (foot) did not practice.
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86 comments Add your comment
Paul
November 2nd, 2012
7:57 am
Quote of the day, “He walked through the locker room carrying a sandwich, but didn’t speak to the media.”
kramer
November 2nd, 2012
8:03 am
It is being reported this morning that Dez will play but, saw nothing on Murray. I think the ‘boy’s plan will be to run the ball on us as much as possible. GO FALCONS!
I usually just read but...
November 2nd, 2012
8:07 am
I agree with Dat Dude@6:45p on Robert James. Ole Smitty gonna pull a slick on Jerrys Boys if they gameplan Dent. Peterson can’t go into 3rd/4th quarter at full speed. Look for R James to get some playing time.
Zoomie
November 2nd, 2012
8:35 am
The ‘Boys are going to relentlessly pound the soft center of the Falcons defense and try to burn the Falcons with their play-action passing game. Dent will get his trial-by-fire and Peterson’s tank-level will be tested. Witten will be all over the field, taking advantage of every perceived mismatch. Overall, the Cowboys will try to run a controlled, balanced offensive attack to keep the game within striking distance in the 4th quarter.
Dallas will confidently commit 4 to the pass rush while using the remaining seven to even the odds against Atlanta’s sheer number of offensive play-makers. They’ll mix up the double coverages and looks to confuse MR2. Ultimately, though, Dallas will have to blitz to get any real pressure on Ryan, as he and Koetter will make Dallas pay if they get too aggressive with their pass rush.
I predict this game will start out as a defensive slug-fest with scoring opening up in the second half as each team takes on more risk for scoring and defensive-stop opportunities.
These two teams match up very well. Setting aside the affects of luck and turnovers, I give the edge to the Falcons as they have just too many weapons on offense and a DC who is very effective at using his personnel.
However, if MR2 has another stinker game, the Cowboys take this one.
Mike is Back
November 2nd, 2012
8:39 am
Smart move by Mike Smith…it’s still a long way to go.
RISE UP DENT…LET’S GO…LET’S GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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November 2nd, 2012
8:48 am
[...] Sean Weatherspoon is out for Sunday’s game vs. Dallas [...]
FalconDeeva
November 2nd, 2012
9:32 am
@ Paul yes that is the quote of the day. Spoon has said he loves his ham and cheese. All fans let’s get there early on Sunday and get that Dome rockin’!! The gate giveaway is a rally towel. Let’s send Jerry Jones and his Cowgirls running home with their tails between their legs. RISE UP BABY RISE UP!!!!! Go Birds!!
DR. FALCON
November 2nd, 2012
10:06 am
HEY TommyNobisfan60, I LOVE YOU TOO! LOL! I WAS JUST GIVING PROPS TO SOME FORMER FALCON LEGENDS! THAT’S ALL! THIS GAME IS PERSONAL FOR ME, AND A FEW LONG TIME, (OVER 30YRS), FALCON FANS! NOTHING PERSONAL, TOWARDS YOU! RELAX! WE’RE IN THIS THING TOGETHER!
New York Giants
November 2nd, 2012
10:06 am
24-2 I am pimping you sissies!
ItsMe
November 2nd, 2012
11:25 am
I’m placing bets on Dent surprising us this Sunday night. Just a feeling…then again it could be gas.
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November 2nd, 2012
3:01 pm
[...] Sean Weatherspoon is out for Sunday’s game vs. Dallas [...]
G-dub
November 2nd, 2012
3:03 pm
Way to rep SE Texas… Weatherspoon-Jasper, TX…Babineaux-Port Arthur, TX
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November 2nd, 2012
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[...] Sean Weatherspoon is out for Sunday’s game vs. Dallas [...]
Mikey
November 2nd, 2012
7:16 pm
Glad to hear that they are not pressing Spoon’s injured ankle. It is best to give it time to heal properly so he is with us for the remainder of the season. This team has depth and Nolan is smart enough to work around backups. It is good for the backups to get some game-time experience too. Dent will get better every game. He just needs to get in the groove with some playing time. The Boys announced that DeMarco Murray is out for this game so that makes quite a difference in their run package. I don’t know if that is a positive thing though since their arial attack is their most productive. They are leaning heavily on Witten in lieu of the running attack so our linebackers will see lots of action I’m sure. Should be a great game… they are actually very well matched with similar composition across the team. I think coaching will shine through with the Falcons. In Smitty, Nolan and Koeter I trust. GO FALCONS! YOU ARE RISING UP!
ROTFLMFAO
November 2nd, 2012
7:25 pm
Falcon will still prevail.
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November 2nd, 2012
11:45 pm
[...] When the Atlanta Falcons take on the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night in an effort to remain the NFL’s last undefeated team they’ll have to do so without their top linebacker, as third-year pro Sean Weatherspoon has been ruled out for the game according to D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. [...]
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[...] = 180; sr_adspace_height = 90; sr_ad_new_window = true; sr_adspace_type = "graphic"; According to D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Falcons linebacker Sean Witherspoon won’t play in tomorrow’s game against the Cowboys [...]
Bruce Raglin in HI.
November 3rd, 2012
7:00 pm
we are a better team than the cowboys and better coached we just have to play Falcon football and we will be ok 8-0 baby GO FALCONS
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