The Atlanta Falcons are once again dealing with injuries and the summer workouts have barely just begun. The team reported for OTAs and on Tuesday they lost defensive leader Sean Weatherspoon to a ruptured Achilles tendon. Head coach Mike Smith reported that Weatherspoon would miss the entire season in order to heal the injury, putting a big gap in the Falcons' defensive front.
Losing Weatherspoon is a hit, but one the Falcons may be able to handle. They played nine games without him in 2013 while also missing other defensive star Kroy Biermann. With Biermann back and healthy, the loss of Weatherspoon does not look catastrophic, but puts Atlanta at a loss with how to fill his spot. After ranking 27th in the league in total defense, the Falcons were hoping to have their defensive tandem on the field and healthy.
According to NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport, the Falcons are expected to take a look at former New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma to help replace Weatherspoon. At 32, the linebacker remains a free agent after he opted not to re-sign with the Saints. Vilma's stint with New Orleans was successful and controversial following the scandal. However, Vilma is a three-time Pro Bowler and can help.
There is not much on the free agent market to help the Falcons fill the void. They could look towards London Fletcher or James Harrison, but Rapoport believes that Vilma is the only high-profiled name the team is glancing at. The Falcons will not jump to make an immediate signing to fill the whole and will first explore internal options and rotating players.
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. The Falcons also added Paul Soliai and Tyson Jackson to help on defense while drafting Ra'Shede Hageman.
General manager Thomas Dimitroff was making defense a priority this offseason. The loss of Weatherspoon certainly hurts those efforts. However, signing Vilma could be the best option. There is still a chance that Weatherspoon could be back should the Falcons still be in play for the postseason. Michael Crabtree suffered the same injury a year ago and made it back for the playoffs.
