The Atlanta Falcons have two of the best wide receivers in the league on their roster. Roddy White and Julio Jones created one of the best tandems in the league last season, making quarterback Matt Ryan's job very easy. They are expected to play a large role in this season's Super Bowl plans and injuries could derail that. White's low ankle sprain is not helping.
White has never missed a regular-season game in his career. The wide receiver has a 128-game streak of appearances. Sure he has battled injuries throughout his career, but no matter what, on Sundays he is there on the field. So will White's ankle sprain end it?
Head coach Mike Smith is hopeful that it will not. White injured his ankle in a preseason game. It was diagnosed as a low ankle sprain which could mean he heals up faster. Smith made the decision to keep White out for the remainder of the preseason in hopes that he will be ready when the team kicks off against the New Orleans Saints on Sept. 8.
Having White out during this time is not a total disaster. Julio Jones and tight end Tony Gonzalez are still practicing to pick up the slack. White and Ryan have a good history with one another so there is no question of the injury hurting their chemistry.
If White is not healthy by Week 1, who lines up next to Jones? Veteran receiver Harry Douglas will be first in line. The receiver who is often No. 3 on the depth chart is always reliable for quality yardage when needed. The other is undrafted receiver Drew Davis who has earned the praise of the coaching staff after a strong camp.
"I think Drew will always be in our final number," wide receivers coach Terry Robiskie said, via the team website. "He's been with me for a couple of years. He played some games for us last year. ... Drew's already in that mix pretty good because he's been here and he knows how to work. He knows what he's doing and when the whistle blows on Sunday, Drew knows what's expected of him."
Smith announced Monday that all injured players are expected to be healthy by the season opener. Cornerback Asante Samuel is nursing a thigh injury while kicker Matt Bryant has had some back issues. Peria Jerry was already back on the field after a jaw issue.
