Atlanta Falcons: Smith calls Abraham injury ‘minor’
Falcons coach Mike Smith said that John Abraham’s left ankle injury, suffered in the fourth quarter of the 22-17 loss to Tampa Bay, is minor.
“The early reports are that it’s minor,” Smith said. “We’re not overly concerned. We’ll definitely have an evaluation (Monday). We don’t know a whole lot more. I did check with the trainer just prior to coming in here.”
Also, cornerback Dunta Robinson left the game in the first quarter with a head injury.
“Dunta, I think, will be fine,” Smith said. “We have two weeks. I don’t know exactly if they’re calling it a concussion. He did not return to the game. I’ll have an update on that (Monday) at the press conference.”
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85 comments Add your comment
SawThat1nce
December 30th, 2012
6:05 pm
go falcons!
SawThat1nce
December 30th, 2012
6:06 pm
Meaningless game.
SawThat1nce
December 30th, 2012
6:09 pm
Meanwhile, the Taints finish the season tied for last place in the NFCSouth. HaHa.
Wonder where all of their trash-talking, cowardly fans are at?
40yrfalcon
December 30th, 2012
6:15 pm
Remembering the one and done a few years ago at 13-3, defense I’m proud of, seriously hoping that Matt starts utilizing Harry Douglas, J. Snelling, Drew Davis, along with Michael Palmer, defenses are figuring out the big “3″. Got to score at least 28+\- if you face GB or Seattle. Losing this game to TB does not send a good message to our enemies.
SCFalcon
December 30th, 2012
6:23 pm
Maybe this loss sends the perfect message to the team we may play. Hapless Falcons are nothing to worry about about
Maybe this is a wake up call for the Falcons and makes them reliaze they have to prepare and work hard to earn a win.
Who knows…..but it doesn’t do any good for the fans to get down on the team. Stay on the bandwagon folks. Jumping on and off make one look foolish.
SCFalcon
December 30th, 2012
6:24 pm
The Smith’s could still own the team!
Bloated Squirrel Cervix
December 30th, 2012
6:25 pm
I hope Robinson and Abraham are good to go for our first playoff game.
FanSinceBartkowski
December 30th, 2012
6:34 pm
Three weeks ago the Birds learned that you can’t just show up and expect a win. Now they know playing at home doesn’t guarantee a win. The three teams we lost to are all 7-9. There won’t be any teams with those records in the playoffs. So as disappointing as it is to see another hapless performance, I’m hoping it will be a motivator for the post-season.
[NFL News] Falcons Say DE John Abraham, CB Dunta Robinson Should Be Fine For The Playoffs - GridironFans.com
December 30th, 2012
6:37 pm
[...] [...]
kd
December 30th, 2012
6:42 pm
Motivation, I like that smith didn’t call a time out at the end of the first half. He was making a point, I hope the falcons got that point. Don’t try to wait till the last second to do something you could’ve been doing the whole Damm time.
DJANGO
December 30th, 2012
6:59 pm
The “D” is still silent, but a lot louder than the Falcons 1st round repeat.
Geoff Cobb
December 30th, 2012
7:03 pm
Very poor decision to play Abe, Dunta and Asante. There was nothing on the line. Should have given backups playing time.
I fear Seattle coming into the dome if today’s defense was any indication of what they will do in the playoffs.
kevkat
December 30th, 2012
7:06 pm
I think if you are going to play your starters, they have to buy into going all out to win in an effort to try to avoid injuries. The minute I noticed they were playing timid (which happened to be the first quarter), I would have pulled all starters after the first quarter. You can’t play not to get hurt, it just adds to the chances you will be.
wondering
December 30th, 2012
7:09 pm
Only skill i saw out of anyone today was that ball spin Douglass did after the touchdown. Best i,ve seen!!
mediocrity continues...
December 30th, 2012
7:11 pm
DLED, did you or any of your peers ask Smith why in the H3LL starters were still in the game in the 4th quarter of a MEANINGLESS game that they were obviously not “over concerned” with winning?
If not, It’s a question that needs to be asked…
okeetee
December 30th, 2012
7:13 pm
….well, our worse nightmare has occurred. I don’t think Smith and the players were on the same page today! Smith wanted to win….the players said “what for?” 2 maybe 3 starters got hurt and who knows if they will be 100% in 2 weeks? The only thing we’ve got going for us fortunately is a rookie quarterback will be coming into our dome for his first playoff game and from what I’ve seen today, ALL these playoff teams are FLAWED! Let’s just hope they are more flawed than we are!!!
Not Sold on falcons
December 30th, 2012
7:14 pm
the falcons play to soft on defense and have a terrible offensive line when it comes to run blocking and pass protection. Don’t look for falcons to go very far in the playoffs. too much still needed on both sides of the ball.
DJANGO
December 30th, 2012
7:15 pm
Just in case nobody knows this, but players get paid to play 16 games not 15.
okeetee
December 30th, 2012
7:18 pm
…by the way, Wilson, the rookie quarterback for Seattle has been sacked SIX times already against St. Louis! We should be able to get to him at least twice, don’t ya think???
mediocrity continues...
December 30th, 2012
7:20 pm
Django really? So the players play for free in the PRE and POST season? Have you ever played a down of football in your life?
DeepDiver
December 30th, 2012
7:24 pm
Way to go Mike! Great coaching out there today!!!!!!! Had the Super Bowl right in front of us, but couldn’t come up with enough plays there. I guess there’s always next year!!
***checks schedule***
You mean we can still get to the Super Bowl even though we LOST today??!!!!!!!!!!
SavDawg
December 30th, 2012
7:24 pm
Same ole Sh*t. OL unable to hold up their end. And where is Harry Douglas the rest of the game ? with RW and JJ he should be open most of the time not to menition double coverage on Gozz. Run stop Who?? TB made almost all their 3rd and longs!! We made almost none. We will be one and done again!!!! Dam*
Not Sold on falcons
December 30th, 2012
7:25 pm
D backs did a terrible job once again rapping up when trying to tackle. I would rather see bench players play than these over paid poor excuse tacklers. If you don’t want to play hard on every play then stay seated on the bench. And by the way the linebackers played terrible as well and still need help at that postion.
One and Done Dirty Birds
December 30th, 2012
7:29 pm
The Falcons will go One and Done Baby!!!!!
Not Sold on falcons
December 30th, 2012
7:36 pm
The falcons offensive play calling is getting very predictable.
thouhtful
December 30th, 2012
7:48 pm
This was a terrible decision I don’t care how they try and spin this. Smith got too cute it was soooooo much to lose and little to gain. WHY?
Frank
December 30th, 2012
7:50 pm
not in a million years would I’ve played the most important players to our postseason hopes after halftime.
all everybody talks about is Falcons postseason failures. our postseason play is the most important part of our legacy. to risk any possible injury in a game that cannot matter is rolling the dice with nothing much to gain. especially since POSTSEASON is all anybody talks about when discussing Atlanta Falcons’ records.
it is possible, altho I hope not, that Abraham and/or Robinson will not be 100% because of painful injury in 2 weeks. If Falcons lose, was this TB game worth it ..risking them all game long? Whether it was smart or stupid will answer itself then.
rlnjtn
December 30th, 2012
7:53 pm
If today’s game is a sign of wht to expect in the first round of the playoffs, then all I can say is here we go again. Where was the protection for Ryan. That poor guy was getting beat up out there.
okeetee
December 30th, 2012
7:57 pm
Trying to find the post game interview with Smith on the internet and can’t find it? Is he hiding out in the bathroom or something!
Fedup Falcon
December 30th, 2012
8:00 pm
Konz has been getting run over alot the last few games.
Tojo
December 30th, 2012
8:01 pm
That was the closest Peria Jerry has come in his entire career to having a big impact…his fat a** nearly broke Abe’s leg.
vesaversa
December 30th, 2012
8:05 pm
I support the Falcons players 100% just not this stupid High school head coach Mike Smith . So i hope after the Falcons lose in the playoffs again the owners will hire a new head coach . Because smith conservative mentality and indecisiveness in games is holding this back .
Philip
December 30th, 2012
8:08 pm
Guess Matt want to be at the pro bowl. He sure trying to accomplish that then finishing the season strong. Turner is a joke he is so out of shape. He was crying like a baby since they told him in the beginning of the season his touches would be reduced. Thanks lazy turner!!!
violet123
December 30th, 2012
8:10 pm
Falcons, I know in my heart that you are the true champions. Don’t stop believing. Go Falcons!!! You are still the best team ever.
violet123
December 30th, 2012
8:19 pm
The Falcons minds were not in the game today. They are preparing for the playoffs which is more important than this stupid game.
glen garofalo
December 30th, 2012
8:20 pm
very poor plays mgmta very lucky to make playoffs.
glen garofalo
December 30th, 2012
8:25 pm
Enter your comments here
DJANGO
December 30th, 2012
8:28 pm
Even a scratched record gets taken out of it’s misery eventually, but this scratched record is going 5 years strong.
StuDawg
December 30th, 2012
8:32 pm
Duante is a liability. I hope he recovers, but loses the starting job. I dont understand how he has a job.
glen garofalo
December 30th, 2012
8:32 pm
this team must change there play calling. its the same every game,all the worst teams in the n.f.l. play falcons tough. must go to play on another level to win a playoff game. go falcons, be part of history or be laugh at that you cant win the big ones.
take it from me.
December 30th, 2012
8:37 pm
I know the Falcons are 13-3,but its a new season now!13-3 means nothing,todays game means nothing.The game 2 wks from now means everything!
Philip
December 30th, 2012
8:55 pm
Looks like the Packers will be back in Atlanta. Blowout and one and done!!! Great job Atlanta for letting the fans down again.. Rise down should be the slogan… Hopeless in Atlanta. A fan that is upset with his team.
ewhsh
December 30th, 2012
9:43 pm
I am ready for my annual Falcon’s playoff heartbreak.
terrell
December 30th, 2012
9:46 pm
TD is awful at drafting olineman.
Baker/Johnson/Hawley/Reynolds/Konz/Holmes(TBD)etc………
Just a bunch of scrubs
terrell
December 30th, 2012
9:50 pm
I really miss Grimes. Robinson too slow to play on the outside.
gl
December 30th, 2012
10:16 pm
The offensive line must get better for the playoffs. Terrell makes a point although we have not seen Holmes play.
me
December 30th, 2012
10:17 pm
If the offensive line plays well the Falcons will go deep in the playoffs. If Ryan is pressured, the AJC will need more web servers to handle the hate…
me
December 30th, 2012
10:18 pm
terrell
December 30th, 2012
9:46 pm
TD is awful at drafting olineman.
Baker/Johnson/Hawley/Reynolds/Konz/Holmes(TBD)etc………
Just a bunch of scrubs
Scrubs go 13-3. They just need to play well and the Falcons will keep playing for several weeks.
Priceless
December 30th, 2012
10:29 pm
Why do the OL run backwards on the snap and not engage at the line? Why do our corners play 7 yards off the receivers? I hope the hartsfield D comes back in the playoffs. Missing in action since the Denver game. But I’d much rather be one and done than none and done. Congrats to a good regular season.
keeping it real
December 30th, 2012
10:41 pm
Phillip: Can’t play the Packers as they are the #3 seed. We play 4/5/6 lowest seed remaining after next week. I think this game was similar to the Carolina game and expect and effort similar to the Giants game in 2 weeks. My main concern is Abe who I think is seriously injured. CMS is not leveling with us about the extent of the injury. He should be a politician or a lawyer.
terrell
December 30th, 2012
10:44 pm
Turner should take notes from Alfred Morris. Thats how you hit the hole.
Rufus1
December 30th, 2012
11:47 pm
2 rookies and a 2nd year QB..
I am feeling a little confident..
Rufus1
December 30th, 2012
11:48 pm
Those are the potential QB foes coming into the dome.
SGAFalcon
December 30th, 2012
11:58 pm
To SCFalcon, at least the Smiths took us to the Super Bowl. The Great and Powerful Art hasn’t done that in 10 years and counting.
Rome
December 31st, 2012
12:03 am
Why are ppl on here so friggin’ skiddish? We only lost THREE games this year, all to division rivals and ppl are talking like they’re ready to give up!
DR. FALCON
December 31st, 2012
1:34 am
YOU TRY TO WIN EVERY GAME! IT’S A 16 GAME SEASON, NOT 15! I SUPPORT COACH SMITH’S DECISION WHOLE HEARTILY! ABRAHAM, AND DUNTA ROBINSON, WILL BE FINE! WE HAVE 2 WEEKS!!!!!
aussiefalcon
December 31st, 2012
1:41 am
Falcon fans don’t panic, only dish served up today and last week was Vanilla with a capital V. The coach and co will be dialling up some magic come playoffs. Have some faith.
DR. FALCON
December 31st, 2012
1:45 am
I AGREE WITH COACH SMITH’S DECISION, WHOLE HEARTILY! YOU PLAY TO WIN EVERY GAME! IT’S 16 WEEKS, NOT 15! JOHN ABRAHAM IS AN “ATHLETE”! HE’LL BE FINE! WE HAVE 2 WEEKS!
SawThat1nce
December 31st, 2012
1:53 am
It looks like most of the taints trolls have changed their names, and continue to post negative comments on the Falcons blogs.
Samuel
December 31st, 2012
6:27 am
Lately, Peter Konz has not lived up to his bargain, and that is to protect Matt Ryan. He’s starting to be the weak link. Somebody needs to get on his butt or we won’t be able to keep Matt up-right.
Longtimefan
December 31st, 2012
6:41 am
Smith et al was not going to open up the playbook for opposing teams to scout in a final, meaningless game. I agree that just like after the Carolina loss the Falcons will come to play in their first playoff game, similar to the Giants game. We will be hosting a rookie QB in Our House. We don’t have to worry about SF or GB until the NFC championship game.
Jack ®
December 31st, 2012
7:10 am
Blank must have had something to do with the decision to play our starters. Surely our coaches are not that stupid.
okeetee
December 31st, 2012
7:19 am
Well, rumor and scuttle butt has Abrahams injury to be a “high” ankle sprain! If in fact, that is the case….he’s OUT for the playoffs! You don’t come back from a high ankle sprain in 2 weeks….you just DON’T! So what to do? Blitz more? Rookie quarterbacks generally make the most mistakes when under duress. The D coordinator has to come up with something that our boys can implement with their feeble minds!
I usually just read but...
December 31st, 2012
8:09 am
What Longtimefan said.
the truth...
December 31st, 2012
8:20 am
Ditto, ditto, ditto……..unfortunately another poor performance coupled with potentially devasting injuries makes for poor game management. and………….no jumping off the wagon here, just a million fans watching an all to familiar scenario…
…bring on baseball; the Birds are “trending” down. I hate it but Atlanta had best get our minds set on the Hot Stove league and Spring Traing…
Polk County Falcon
December 31st, 2012
8:53 am
I’m just putting this game out of my mind. What I keep in my thoughts is the trouncing we put on the SB champion Giants. On the other hand our run defense scares me. Whichever team we play in our first playoff game will be bringing a hoss of a running back to the Dome with them. I’d say we will have to put up at least 35 points to win, and I also say we can do it. BE PREPARED FALCONS !!!!
tfalcon
December 31st, 2012
8:56 am
I dont really mind the decision to keep those guys in,concidering the way we were playing
the media is always going to second guess everything it seems like.I mean if he choose
to sit them all,and we come out flat in the playoff game,they write that ,that was a bad decision
truth is seems like they always try an find something negative to write about,unless they
win.So to be a journalist all u need to do is find the negative in what u are looking at,i wonder
if that transends into one’s personal life as well.Most of the people that right about these things
have never ever played one single down in the game of football
tfalcon
December 31st, 2012
8:58 am
dled sorry thought i w as still on the bradly colume
Decatur Falcons
December 31st, 2012
8:59 am
Truth is simple, work on being perfect on Special Teams, Defense, and Offense period. The Atlanta Falcons have a opportunity to get to the Super Bowl. It’s no I in team people, you can’t be on the Quarterback or Coach Mike Smith. Offense has to open the whole playbook and convert 3 downs, Defense has to create turnovers and stop the run in key moments in the game. I hope to God we play the Minnesota Vikings and not RG3 Washington Redskins. Yes, Atlanta Falcons didn’t play well and Matt Ryan got sack, I would look at the beat down by the Tampa Bay Bucs as something you can build on going into the Playoffs. It is win or go home. GO FALCONS!!!!
FalconFreak
December 31st, 2012
9:29 am
“We’re playing to win every game. That’s what we’re paid to do and that’s all we know how to do”…post-game interview.
What idiocy. I thought the goal was to win the superbowl or at least a post season game. The post game interview sounded like some android preprogrammed to mumble meaningless nonsense as opposed to a thoughtful coach skilled in the art of NFL strategery.
will exum
December 31st, 2012
9:30 am
Coach Smith, “PLEASE” stop with Junks.
Polk County Falcon
December 31st, 2012
9:36 am
The Vikings have got Adrian Peterson who just rushed for 199 yds. against Green Bay yesterday. That’s not good chemestry with our run defense. I’m hoping we get to play Seattle who has Lynch and that’s bad enough. All of these teams have had to fight their way to where they are and none of them will be a cakewalk. Even though we’ve beat Wash. this year they could be a nightmare with RG3 and Morris who rushed for 200 yesterday against Dallas.
RSG
December 31st, 2012
10:30 am
They Bucs pay bounties too for cart offs !
Who Dat.
wcj
December 31st, 2012
10:35 am
The falcons players did not want to play in the game in the first place; that is my opinion. Mike Smith is a lucky man today. Not one of his players suffered any serious injuries. The players did what they had do all season. The falcons will be ready in two weeks. The falcons’ players know everyone is looking for them to fail-again. We will see.
BirdDawg25
December 31st, 2012
10:39 am
offensive line couldnt,protect Quarterback, defense forgot how to tackle, aside from the one good hit by “spoon “. . if they play the next game, like they did yesterday it”s all over ! The Falcons defense still worries me especially the secondary,.They played a good team yesterday, better than their record indicates, which team will show up on jan 13, The team that could win the superbowl, or the team that couldnt win the Toilet Bowl ! Falcon fans should be concerned ! meaningless game yesterday ? why play starters so long. ? I think Mike Smith is a great coach ,but playing the starters so long could have been costly … Been a falcons fan since the late 70″s , and really do hope they win it all !
okeetee
December 31st, 2012
10:51 am
“The Falcons defense still worries me especially the secondary”
….strangely enough, I’m confident more in our secondary than I’ve ever been, yesterdays game not withstanding! We picked off Peyton 3 times, Brees 5 times and the other Manning kid 3 or 4 times, right? Right now, my main concern would be hoping the Falcon receivers can get open and have very good games so that we can put up some points since it looks like these games might all be shoot outs this year! Ryan should get better protection this time around. It can’t be any worse than yesterday!
Priceless
December 31st, 2012
2:38 pm
Hey Idiot -get your own name- Now my comment- I’d call Smittys coaching ability “minor”
RB GA FALCON
December 31st, 2012
3:51 pm
YES I THOUGHT CMS WAS STUPID FOR NOT LETTING GO OF HIS PRIDE BUT THERE IS NOTHING WE CAN DO TO CHANGE IT, WE ARE FORTUNATE WE DID NOT LOSE ANY OTHER STARTERS. BUT WE CAN SHOW SUPPORT FOR OUR TEAM THE( # 1 SEED ATLANTA FALCONS) I AM SURE WE WILL PLAY BEETER FOR THE SUPERBOWL!!! RISE UP
The Real Falcon
December 31st, 2012
4:06 pm
Just got my playofff tickets.
RISE UP!
Learn from this Smitty
December 31st, 2012
4:13 pm
STUPID to keep starters in that game so late.
He is obviously a winning coach, but he still does too many stupid things that take away from his accomplishments. Too many wrong play challenges and bad 4th down calls in his career. Now this.
Smarten up Smitty. You’re better than that.
Priceless
December 31st, 2012
4:17 pm
Not so sure about that !
alex
December 31st, 2012
5:58 pm
we have decent chance to win one playoff game, 50% chance win conference title, zero chance for super ball win. any way good possibility we are playing on Jan. 20. will be good step forward. forget this ugly loss, thing happens in wild world off sports. go falcons.
Doctor Falcon
January 1st, 2013
1:49 pm
When Abe was injured in Buc game, I saw medical staff put a walking boot on for him too get off field. Also saw him in cart going to locker room. If he is not hurt seriously, why are they having MRI done on Ankle. Abe is a tough cookie.He was in alot of pain on field. I have watch him play from Jets days. Mike Cox Smith is not telling the whole truth. I believe ABE is done for playoffs. Was this meaningless game worth getting our best defense lineman hurt? They limited his snaps all season too keep him healthy, then in a meaningless gamee play him. What kind of juices was MIKE COX SMITH drinking? With our defense weak with no pass rush with ABE< what will we have without him? Not looking good for Coons.
okeetee
January 1st, 2013
5:02 pm
“I believe ABE is done for playoffs. Was this meaningless game worth getting our best defense lineman hurt? They limited his snaps all season too keep him healthy, then in a meaningless game play him?”
Good points! If I was a sports guy at the media session, those would be the questions he would have to answer for me! Just didn’t make any sense playing our key guys in a meaningless game! Yes, you can get hurt at anytime when on the field….but why not take the risk when the game counts for something, huh?!!! Well, what has been done is done. Maybe the Defensive coordinator can come up with a scheme that can put pressure on the quarterback with Abraham out? Probably our best bet is to just win a “shootout” with a wide open offense and stop this foolishness of running Turner on 1st and 10 which generally results in 2nd and 9!!!
Hamad Meander
January 2nd, 2013
4:04 pm
Still, there was no reason to play Abraham, much less a bunch of other critical starters. If we ever needed a bye week, it’s now. It’s a need, not a luxury, which it should have been.
Wouldn’t it have been nice to see what our backups would be capable of doing in a real game? At least we could have figured out what our needs will be next season.