The one thing the Atlanta Falcons were trying to avoid this season were injuries. The team got back a handful of starters who missed most of last season including Julio Jones, Roddy White and Kroy Biermann and was not looking to have the same issues happen twice. However, less than a month into training camp and things are not playing out as planned. The Falcons lost starting linebacker Sean Weatherspoon to an Achilles tear in OTAs and Steven Jackson has been out with a hamstring injury. The injuries do not stop there as the Falcons have now lost Sam Baker for the year.
Week Two of the preseason was not kind to the Falcons. The team struggled against the Houston Texans. Jadeveon Clowney got two big hits on the starting offense. Matt Ryan and the first-string could not convert third downs and they eventually lost. To make matters worse, let tackle Baker suffered a torn patellar tendon which will cause him to miss the whole year.
Knee injuries are nothing new for the first first-round draft pick. He underwent season-ending Patella surgery on his left knee last season, missing 12 games. His injuries were just one of many suffered on the offensive line which caused the Falcons to draft Jake Matthews for help. Now Matthews will be called to step up immediately as he will be the one inserted into Baker's spot for the season.
"I'll do it," Matthews said, via ESPN.com. "That's what they drafted me for: to come here and play wherever. And something I take a lot of pride in is my versatility and being able to play on either side. If they ask me to move over, I'll be happy to do it. I don't really know what happened, but he was definitely one of the vocal leaders and leaders of the offensive line. The guy has been around doing it for a long time. He's definitely one of the crucial pieces of the offensive line."
Matthews played left tackle during his senior season at Texas A&M, but had been playing on the right with Baker on the line. The transition should be natural for the rookie. Now, either Lamar Holmes or Ryan Schraeder will take up the spot on the right side in place of Matthews. Holmes started all 15 games last season and saw good and bad times at it. His offseason was not great, but the team is confident in his improvement. Veteran Gabe Carimi who was signed in free agency could also be an option after he nurses an ankle injury.
The Falcons are confident that Baker's injury is not a setback. Everyone from Matt Ryan to Roddy White have been complimentary regarding the rookie's play so far with the team. Head coach Mike Smith is confident that the Falcons have enough options to downplay the injury's impact.
Meanwhile, Baker's future with Atlanta could be over. The lineman signed a six-year deal in 2013 which included $18.25 million. He has been paid a solid position of that and given his high salary cap hits for the remainder of his contract, Baker could be released after the season.