The Atlanta Falcons have yet another injury to deal with this season, putting another player on injured reserve. This appears to be a reoccurrence for the Falcons who currently have half their offensive line on that list and now they ending another player's season as Antone Smith will miss the remainder of the season. Smith has enjoyed a breakout season in a contract year, but he will not get a chance to show his abilities anymore after a season-ending injury suffered in Week 11.
Smith suffered a broken leg in the win over the Carolina Panthers ending his season. The running back went down while attempting to cover a punt and had to be helped off the field. The loss of Smith to offense is big hit for the Falcons. The running back was a big-play guy for the team, averaging 6.3 yards per carry on the ground and 17.1 yards per catch as a receiver. His five touchdowns keep him as one of the best offensive producers for the Falcons.
"Antone has done some good things for us not only on special teams-he's a special-teams ace-but he's also a guy that when he touches the ball he has the ability to take it the distance.," head coach Mike Smith said, via the Atlanta Journal Constitution. "He's created a lot of explosive plays for us and he is someone who will be missed. But it gives other guys a chance to get more touches."
The injury to Smith comes at a time where he was trying to prove worthy of a new contract with the Atlanta. Currently in his fifth year with the team, Smith was expecting a nice little contract boost considering he scored five touchdowns on just 36 touches this year. He was not considered a top-dollar guy, but was looking for a nice pay pump. The Falcons would be wise to re-sign Smith regardless of the injury. He has proved himself to be a dynamic playmaker and a key contributor on special teams.
With Smith out, rookie Devonta Freeman will see a lot more carries come his way. He had six carries for 28 yards in wake of the injury against the Carolina Panthers and that will increase in the coming weeks. Steven Jackson will continue to be the starter as the veteran has looked strong the past two weeks. The Falcons will not add another running back to the roster at this point, but instead they will aim to activate wide receiver Drew Davis who has been out with a foot injury since training camp.
