In the Atlanta Falcons quest to become the next Super Bowl champions, injuries are not part of the plan. However, the first dagger struck on Tuesday, leaving the Falcons with a big hole to fill. The offensive line already had some inexperience to it, but now starter Mike Johnson is likely out for the season, leaving the Falcons to look lower on the depth chart or in free agency to fill the spot.
Right tackle Johnson was finally going to be the starter for the Falcons this season. Atlanta lost Tyson Clabo to the Miami Dolphins leaving Johnson to step up and take his place. Those plans changed after Johnson was carted off the practice field and placed into an ambulance. Johnson was participating in 9-on-7 drills in joint practice with the Cincinnati Bengals. He has reportedly suffered a dislocated left ankle and a broken left fibula and is scheduled to undergo surgery on Thursday.
The Falcons are relatively thin at the right tackle position, making replacing him rather difficult. At this moment, first-year pro Lamar Holmes is the next man up as the No. 2 tackle on the depth chart. Holmes was a third-round draft pick out of Southern Miss in 2012. Early reports say Holmes is a solid replacement for Johnson and was in competition to be named the starter. Before Tuesday, it was Johnson's job to lose.
The Falcons also have the option to look towards free agency if they are unsure Holmes is really ready to be a starter in the league. After signing quarterback Matt Ryan to a contract extension, the Falcons have somewhere around $7-8 million in cap space to work with. They could easily sign a one-year replacement for Johnson while he recovers from the injury. Notable free agents left on the market include Winston Justice, Sean Locklear and Jared Gaither.
It was originally assumed that the Falcons might use that extra cap space to sign defensive end Richard Seymour after being in negotiations with the veteran for months. However, general manager Thomas Dimitroff shot down that idea, saying at the moment the extra cap space would be saved for injuries. Well, that time is now.
Johnson was drafted by the Falcons back in 2010 in the third round. He was a standout player on the offensive line at the University of Alabama. He played all 16 games last season while starting once. A timetable for his return is unknown.