Beaten-up Falcons trying to get healthy as playoff hopes fade
By Bud L. Ellis
Their once-smooth path to the playoffs now uphill and rocky, facing a 12-0 team this week, there wasn’t a whole lot of good news for the Atlanta Falcons during and after their Thursday practice.
About the only thing longer than Atlanta’s shot at the postseason is the team’s injury list, and there isn’t any indication the ranks of the walking wounded are shrinking.
Quarterback Matt Ryan still is hobbled by turf toe, and while Ryan did take part in some activities during the team’s walk-through Thursday morning, he’s listed as questionable.
Running back Michael Turner, nursing a high ankle sprain, did not practice. Neither did cornerback Chris Houston, who will miss Sunday’s game against undefeated New Orleans at the Georgia Doem with a hamstring injury.
Center Todd McClure, who injured a knee in last week’s loss against Philadelphia, returned to practice but didn’t take part in all activities.
Not exactly the type of thing a struggling team needs entering a must-win game against one of the NFL’s elite. The Falcons, after starting the season 4-1, now sit at 6-6 and are two games out of the final NFC playoff spot.
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Thursday, December 10, 2009 at 10:42 pm by bud
Tags: Atlanta Falcons, Chris Houston, Georgia Dome, Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, National Football League, New Orleans Saints, NFC, Philadelphia Eagles, Todd McClure
