The Atlanta Falcons suffered an array of injuries last season that led them to a 4-12 record just a year after making it to the NFC championship game. Players like Kroy Biermann, Sam Baker and wide receiver Julio Jones were all lost for significant amounts of time last year and the Falcons were aiming to have everyone healthy for 2014. However, that took a big hit on Tuesday when Sean Weatherspoon went down with a ruptured Achilles.
The leading linebacker for the Falcons missed 12 games over the past two seasons and now he is set to miss yet another year because of the same issue. Head coach Mike Smith released a statement saying Weatherspoon ruptured his Achilles while running during team OTAs and will be out the entire year. This comes after a foot injury caused him to miss nine games last year and three in 2012. His absence was felt last year as the Falcons ranked 27th in total defense without him or Biermann. So where do the Falcons go from here?
The Falcons are trying out a new 3-4 defensive lineup which will mean some shifting now without Weatherspoon. As of now, Biermann is back and fully recovered after suffering the same issue in the preseason last year. He will likely take over as one of the defensive play callers on the field without Weatherspoon. He will start alongside Jonathan Massaquoi on the outside. The biggest question mark now rests on the inside.
Paul Worrilow will likely get a nod after tallying up 127 tackles in his rookie season after being an undrafted free agent. Joplo Bartu can expect the same thing as long as he handles being shifted to the inside in the new defensive system. Akeem Dent and rookie Prince Shembo will also battle it out for a starting spot. The team could attempt to shift Biermann inside while rotating in Osi Umenyiora. There is a lot up in the air right now for the Falcons defense after the injury and the team will likely look on the free agent market, which does not offer much, if they feel the depth they have is not enough.
The secondary appears set which is at least one good sign. Desmond Trufant returns along with Robert Alford who expects to start at the cornerback position. The team also added Javier Arenas and Dwight Lowery in the offseason to help as well.