Falcons: Brent Grimes To Undergo Surgery, Miss A Few Weeks

by Dave Choate on Nov 30, 2011 5:01 PM EST

That's straight from the horse's mouth, as the Falcons' official Twitter account is reporting that Brent Grimes will undergo minor knee surgery and miss time.

Mike Smith did not specify how long the Falcons would be missing Grimes, who is arguably the team's best cornerback and also arguably one of the best in the NFL. He just said a "few" weeks, which likely means anywhere from three-to-six. The former would be unpalatable but doable, while the latter could mean Optimus would miss a playoff game. That's a terrifying thought.

Without Grimes, the Falcons will have Dunta Robinson at the top and a lot of uncertainty behind him. Kelvin Hayden is struggling with his own injury issues, which thrusts Chris Owens and Dominique Franks into the spotlight. Both had their struggles in coverage against the Vikings, and the shortage of corners is serious enough that the Falcons appear to be ready to make athletic rookie Darrin Walls a game-day active.

The Falcons are blessed to be squaring off against a third-string quarterback in Houston this week and drawing games against teams like the Jaguars, but if Grimes isn't back for the tilt against the Saints that game could get very, very ugly.

My best guess is that you'll see Owens outside opposite Robinson, where I think he's arguably the better fit than inside, and Hayden and Franks will split snaps inside depending on how Hayden's legs are holding up. If he plays at all, Walls will likely spell Franks and Hayden. It's incumbent upon Owens and Franks to step up—they have the talent to do so, at least—and for Hayden to recover as quickly as humanly possible. The Falcons are lucky right now to have Robinson available, as he's the only sure thing going.

It's a concern, obviously, and Grimey's gonna be missed. Let's hope he recovers quickly.

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Crap!!

Just…crap!!

Get better soon OG…

"I'd run over my own mother to win the Super Bowl." - Joe Jacoby, formerly of the Redskins
"To win, I'd run over Joe's mom too." - Matt Millen, formerly of the Raiders

"We now have exactly the same situation as we had at the start of the race, only exactly the opposite" - Murray Walker, Sportscaster

by Blood_Talon on Nov 30, 2011 5:07 PM EST reply actions

Dang!

I know where the bodies are buried.....I buried some of them myself. - David Stern

by a hooter's baby on Nov 30, 2011 5:09 PM EST reply actions 2 recs

Exacltly^^^^

by diRtybiRds on Dec 1, 2011 7:24 PM EST up reply actions

Son

of a beesting.

Gummo is a movie everyone should be forced to see.
"i hear theres rumors on the internets that were going to have a draft"-George Bush
"i'll be long gone before some smart person ever figures out what happened inside the oval office" -George Bush.

by AplusBEqualsABE on Nov 30, 2011 5:12 PM EST reply actions

whelp

Here’s the time, we put up or shut up. These guys are going to get their shots at playing while grimes is out, and its now or never for them, they have to live up to their expectations and status.

*In Matt I Trust*
http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/9455/grimessig.jpg

by nj_falconfan on Nov 30, 2011 5:14 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

TJ Yates is still TJ Yates

Against Houston, you stop Foster and you score on their defense, I think you win. And the Jags just suck. But yeah, he needs to get better by New Orleans.

by Hawes on Nov 30, 2011 5:16 PM EST reply actions

This is really bad....

I’m just sayin’

Hopefully he is only out for 2 weeks… we were quietly becoming one of the best defenses in the NFL but our depth has been a loud weakness that is about to rear its ugly head

know what you believe in and why you believe in it

by MentallyMIA on Nov 30, 2011 5:32 PM EST reply actions

Fudge!

by FLA_Falcon on Nov 30, 2011 5:34 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Depth

I wouldn’t say our lack of depth is exposed just yet, rather our depth is about to be tested. Grimes didn’t prove his worth sitting on the bench and neither will Walls, Franks and Owens, and really they couldn’t ask for a better introduction than T.J. Yates.

by Sabre on Nov 30, 2011 5:42 PM EST reply actions

This explains

why the Falcons were reportedly trying out veteran DBs last week. Interesting that no signings came out of that. They must be convinced that there’s nothing better out there than what is already on the roster.

by KMarch on Nov 30, 2011 5:45 PM EST reply actions

NOOooooooooooooooooooooooo!

My buddy and I just decided that the braves would be set if we could get Matt Kemp, Jose Reyes, and Albert Pujols.

by willlinn on May 17, 2011 2:13 PM EDT

by Bronn on Nov 30, 2011 5:51 PM EST reply actions

Denial won't help son...

lets just hope he comes back 100% by the NO game…we will need him against Brees.

"I'd run over my own mother to win the Super Bowl." - Joe Jacoby, formerly of the Redskins
"To win, I'd run over Joe's mom too." - Matt Millen, formerly of the Raiders

"We now have exactly the same situation as we had at the start of the race, only exactly the opposite" - Murray Walker, Sportscaster

by Blood_Talon on Nov 30, 2011 5:53 PM EST up reply actions

Great job in playing a guy who was already injured in a game we didn't need him coaching staff!

So stupid! Could he still have needed surgery even if he hadn’t played? Possibly. But was the legendary Viking attack of Ponder, Gerhart and Harvin that horrifying that you couldn’t rest him and see? Here’s hoping Hayden gets back soon.

by aces666high on Nov 30, 2011 5:55 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

yea, and then he only lasted 4 mintes

they should have rested him, ran some more tests, and did whatever they could to prevent surgery.

If he was in too early and now needs surgery because of that, then man I’m f%#%ingpissed

One day....

by Kashberry on Nov 30, 2011 9:30 PM EST up reply actions

On second thought

I’m actually excited to see franks and possibly (hopefully) walls get some game time

by FLA_Falcon on Nov 30, 2011 6:01 PM EST via mobile reply actions

While I see...

your point, just wish their playing time could have been figured out without the loss of OG!!

Dunta better show up Sunday as Young QB’s love to prove themselves so if the ball is not going to AF on the ground, it’s going to AJ in the air…well that’s what I think anyway…

"I'd run over my own mother to win the Super Bowl." - Joe Jacoby, formerly of the Redskins
"To win, I'd run over Joe's mom too." - Matt Millen, formerly of the Raiders

"We now have exactly the same situation as we had at the start of the race, only exactly the opposite" - Murray Walker, Sportscaster

by Blood_Talon on Nov 30, 2011 6:10 PM EST up reply actions

I bet even Yates...

is licking his chops at the chance to test Owens.

by randomaxe on Nov 30, 2011 7:12 PM EST up reply actions

They botched this one kinda like they botched Turners ankle a few years ago.

They brought him back way to soon. Who is our team Dr? That guy should be ripped of his license. I hope were full staffed and healthy for the Saints game.

by Bigru3 on Nov 30, 2011 6:23 PM EST via mobile reply actions

thats true, I remember that....

Doctor shouldve said “No way Smith, Grimes isn’t coming back so you can have him against a two win team at home”

One day....

by Kashberry on Nov 30, 2011 9:31 PM EST up reply actions

reportedly

he’s been dealing with this since the DET game.

by KMarch on Nov 30, 2011 9:53 PM EST up reply actions

and they never rested him huh?

One day....

by Kashberry on Nov 30, 2011 10:29 PM EST up reply actions

we're no different

Alot of other tean has had key injuries. Our was just compounded ny our coaching staff. We didnt need JJ when we played da Colts and we didnt need grimes when we played da vikings..thanks coaches

by jgreedy on Nov 30, 2011 6:23 PM EST via mobile reply actions

I don't get blaming the coaches...

JJ injured his OTHER hammy, so it’s not like they rushed him back too soon. And Grimes may well have needed the minor surgery already. It’s just a shame they didn’t choose to do it the week BEFORE the Vikings game, so he’d be ready sooner. They can’t simply choose to ply the best personnel only when they “need” them.

by randomaxe on Nov 30, 2011 7:18 PM EST up reply actions

I disagree a bit randomaxe

JJ injured his other hammy quite possibly compensating for his other one. It’s true, Grimey may have needed that surgery, that’s true, so why put him out there at all? Toss him into that accursed MRI machine and see what it says. If it said nothing, sit him anyway. It’s a problem with his knee which robs him of his great equalizer, that sick vertical. They can choose their personnel from week to week. We were going up against a rookie QB, a not so hot backup RB and a good WR. If this staff thought we would go down if Grimey wasn’t in against a depleted Viking team, they have a serious problem in gauging opponents.

by aces666high on Nov 30, 2011 8:22 PM EST up reply actions

again, this is something he's been dealing with since the DET game

like Lofton last year, Grimes, the coaches, and the doctors thought he could perform at a high enough level to keep playing on it. It didn’t pan out.

by KMarch on Nov 30, 2011 9:55 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

I actually think this is going to be good for the Falcons in the long run

What better way for our depth to get playing time, experience, and confidence than against 3 rookie QB’s not named Dalton. These guys can come in and get good at what they do during these 3 games and give our defense added depth and skill for a playoff run. Besides, even with these guys out there on the field, we should still win these next 3 games as long as we stop the run. All 3 opponents like to run the ball, so if we can stop Foster, Newton, Williams, and MJD then we can win these games. And if ya think about it, these guys won’t really have much to do with stopping the run in those games either, so they won’t hurt our run defense at all, unless they can’t cover for shit! lol

Now Gentlemen, get your butts up, and get back on that horse! You have no choice. The expectations are running much higher this year.

by ATLsince1972 on Nov 30, 2011 6:27 PM EST reply actions

We will be alright

by jgreedy on Nov 30, 2011 6:34 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

that just sucks

Is wall any good? Haven’t heard his name at all. We need owens to step up in a big way

by ocfalcon on Nov 30, 2011 6:32 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Darrin Walls is a rookie UDFA who made some noise in training camp

An athletic player who went to crappy Notre Dame. Decent size but if we get to him on the depth chart unless it’s a blowout(ha!), something really bad has happend.

by aces666high on Nov 30, 2011 6:42 PM EST up reply actions

There's a chance

we can get a 27-17 “blowout” against the Panthers, even on the road…

by randomaxe on Nov 30, 2011 7:21 PM EST up reply actions

This made me laugh and cry at the same time

Mostly cry

by aces666high on Nov 30, 2011 8:24 PM EST up reply actions

Everyones using my "close score blowout" joke...

and I’m not even getting credit…lol

I keed, I keed…but it is funny though…hehe

"I'd run over my own mother to win the Super Bowl." - Joe Jacoby, formerly of the Redskins
"To win, I'd run over Joe's mom too." - Matt Millen, formerly of the Raiders

"We now have exactly the same situation as we had at the start of the race, only exactly the opposite" - Murray Walker, Sportscaster

by Blood_Talon on Dec 1, 2011 12:46 PM EST up reply actions

i think

That touchdown saving tackle will have CHRIS OWENS playing wiyh great confidence

by jgreedy on Nov 30, 2011 6:35 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Thinking

about it, it may help. Remember last year brian williams went down on the last game of the season, and any significant playing time since like the beginning of the season chris owens got was the playoff drubbing by the GB packers. Get these guys to get their feet wet with competition and real action and it may help. So if they do have to step in during the playoffs they have some game experience and what not. Also, I think our pass rush really has to step up to help take some pressure off our secondary without OG

*In Matt I Trust*
http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/9455/grimessig.jpg

by nj_falconfan on Nov 30, 2011 6:37 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

I believe Hayden's injury is a dislocated toe

Which really is a worry. It could easily pop out of place doing just about anything on the field

by aces666high on Nov 30, 2011 6:38 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

Darrin Walls has alot of potential

As a Notre Dame fan I saw plenty of Walls. Hes got sure hands and can fly up and down the field. Is not affraid to stick his nose in a tackle and can make good reads. I know the NFL is a different animal but theres more good in him than bad. I honestly feel he might surprise alot of people with how aggresive he is. Oh and he graduated for Notre Dame which is crazy cause if anyone can understand his assignments in BVGs crazy zone its him. Hope he gets his chance kinda like Svitek…maybe walls is our long lost Nickel Back! Get better OG!

by Bigru3 on Nov 30, 2011 6:43 PM EST via mobile reply actions

He actually has a youtube video of highlights! Punch in Darrin Walls Notre Dame...check it out.

by Bigru3 on Nov 30, 2011 6:46 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Big loss. I think Walls will b good next year

but i doubt he gets any action. Franks will get lot of action he seems to be solid. Owens, well I’ll just say he’s no Grimes.

by DEMBIRDZCUZ! on Nov 30, 2011 6:49 PM EST up reply actions

Wait, Franks is solid

did you watch the MIN game? He sucked in coverage for most of the game, against a rookie QB with ONE good receiver. Franks has the skill set to be solid but he ain’t there yet.

by mwalex on Dec 1, 2011 6:50 PM EST up reply actions

Arthroscopic surgery?

For those of us who’ve paid a little too much attention to football over the years, I suppose that we can assume that Optimus is having arthroscopic surgery to repair some ligament or cartilage in the particular knee he has the problem in. It shouldn’t be up to us to assume, though. I wish the team would make this stuff public. After all, if people want to hit the man’s knee when he returns, is it really going to make a difference to the opposition as to what kind of surgery was performed?

Anyway, if T.J. Yates lights us up, Van Gorder must go.

by Thrashy Thrashy on Nov 30, 2011 8:02 PM EST reply actions

almost certainly arthroscopic

thankfully, Grimes plays a position where he can avoid direct contact to his knees. His vertical will suffer, though.

As far as publicizing the surgery, I don’t like it. B/c if opponents knew which operation was done, they’d could know exactly which types of movement were most limited and most likely to re-injure him.

by KMarch on Nov 30, 2011 10:00 PM EST up reply actions

One man

Doesn’t make a team. These other guys, Owens, Hayden, Franks, etc. Have to step it up.

Evil Falcon

by falconplanet on Nov 30, 2011 8:17 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

They better step up

For the sake of your injury!

by aces666high on Nov 30, 2011 8:26 PM EST up reply actions

Jose,

I’m around 80-90 percent for Sunday, upper leg has gotten alot better. Don’t know if the fam will be at the house or not, if they are, I’ve got to tone it down, if not, it’s potty mouth time with myself!

Evil Falcon

by falconplanet on Nov 30, 2011 8:41 PM EST up reply actions

-

"We did a lot of good things last year, and now we've got Julio ... That does nothing but improve the offense, and we expect to do better. That's our goal, to lead the NFL in everything. Every offensive category." -Roddy White

by Beachy Keen on Nov 30, 2011 8:20 PM EST reply actions 3 recs

HA!

He looks as if someone just shoved something where no one should EVER have anything shoved…LOL!!!

"I'd run over my own mother to win the Super Bowl." - Joe Jacoby, formerly of the Redskins
"To win, I'd run over Joe's mom too." - Matt Millen, formerly of the Raiders

"We now have exactly the same situation as we had at the start of the race, only exactly the opposite" - Murray Walker, Sportscaster

by Blood_Talon on Dec 1, 2011 12:47 PM EST up reply actions

best comedy show today

he should’ve have left.

Atlanta will win a championship....someday

by maxxj3 on Dec 1, 2011 3:34 PM EST up reply actions

He will be missed

Good luck Mr Grimes on that proceedure and get well soon

by JT131 on Nov 30, 2011 8:38 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Chris Owens

Has been pretty decent on the outside so I think he will do ok against Jax, Hou, and Carolina. Just don’t play him at nickel.

by leonw92 on Nov 30, 2011 9:07 PM EST reply actions

I think the timing is a good thing.

If nothing else this will let us see how the depth at CB works and it is against some lackluster passing teams too. It is better to find out now than during the playoffs or the must win end games of the season. If these guys fall flat we still have time to make some roster moves.

by Falcons Fan in WA on Nov 30, 2011 10:01 PM EST reply actions

No worries

Injuries happen and good thing it’s not season ending

Atlanta will win a championship....someday

by maxxj3 on Nov 30, 2011 10:22 PM EST reply actions

No. Just no.

Be sure to check out this week's Best Case/Worst Case article here.

Follow me on Twitter! @HarrisonN17

by Turner_The_Burner on Nov 30, 2011 11:29 PM EST reply actions

is he saying

Oh my fucking god?

If so, I agree with that

One day....

by Kashberry on Dec 1, 2011 12:54 AM EST up reply actions

No...

he is watching the 4th and 1 in OT during the NO game!!

"I'd run over my own mother to win the Super Bowl." - Joe Jacoby, formerly of the Redskins
"To win, I'd run over Joe's mom too." - Matt Millen, formerly of the Raiders

"We now have exactly the same situation as we had at the start of the race, only exactly the opposite" - Murray Walker, Sportscaster

by Blood_Talon on Dec 1, 2011 8:48 PM EST up reply actions

Tampa Bay's drawn offside in week 3

Be sure to check out this week's Best Case/Worst Case article here.

Follow me on Twitter! @HarrisonN17

by Turner_The_Burner on Dec 2, 2011 7:34 AM EST up reply actions

Haha...

I know where the scene “actually” came from…I was just making a joke…lol

"I'd run over my own mother to win the Super Bowl." - Joe Jacoby, formerly of the Redskins
"To win, I'd run over Joe's mom too." - Matt Millen, formerly of the Raiders

"We now have exactly the same situation as we had at the start of the race, only exactly the opposite" - Murray Walker, Sportscaster

by Blood_Talon on Dec 3, 2011 7:04 AM EST up reply actions

this is the

best thing BVG has ever given us

by Erihury on Dec 1, 2011 1:18 AM EST up reply actions

It is one of my favorite things ever.

As much as that play sucked and I was so furious, seeing BVG doing this on TV actually made me laugh at the time.

by Jeanna Thomas on Dec 2, 2011 11:45 AM EST up reply actions

According to dled

they are gonna have d franks play the outside, and when they go to nickel move franks to the inside and have owens play the outside… glad to see they’ve figured out owens at nickel is bad news

by shuliem3 on Nov 30, 2011 11:40 PM EST reply actions

Seriously? Source?

If thats true this is the greatest personel move MS/BVG have made in a long long time.

Be sure to check out this week's Best Case/Worst Case article here.

Follow me on Twitter! @HarrisonN17

by Turner_The_Burner on Dec 1, 2011 2:57 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-falcons-blog/2011/11/30/brent-grimes-to-have-knee-surgery-on-thursday/

“Dominique Franks is set to start at left cornerback and move inside when the Falcons play nickel. Christopher Owens will move to left cornerback in the nickel.”

by shuliem3 on Dec 1, 2011 8:29 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Nice get

My post on that just went up.

by Dave Choate on Dec 1, 2011 12:57 PM EST up reply actions

we have faced

3 rokkie QBs in the past games in QBs of Carolina, Vikings, Titans. On paper these were easy matchups and still we struggled in generating pressure and getting picks (except the carolina game). those QBs posted terrific numbers, so I wouldn’t want to underestimate TJ Yates, even though he’s a rookie.
I hope Grimes returns for the Aints game, and Owens better live up to that hype around him after 2-3 awesome plays against the Vikes.

Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia

by Gemini-RU on Dec 1, 2011 3:37 AM EST reply actions

* rookie

Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia

by Gemini-RU on Dec 1, 2011 3:37 AM EST up reply actions

D Franks

I have confidence in franks he might have the experience but he is far more athletic then owens and can make up for any mistake he makes, and whos to say darrin walls isnt gonna be good lol, lets just pray hes this yrs sam sheilds, and if hayden gets healthy soon (hopefully) he wont have trouble starting since hes done it before

by Nedk23 on Dec 1, 2011 10:16 AM EST reply actions

Crap

This scares the hell out of me.. I can sense all of Falcons nation gasping and holding their breath.. Abe and Edwards need to step up big time and get some early pressure cause we all know Owens can’t cover anybody for more than a couple seconds! Don’t understimate Yates people. This is the same D that made T. Jackson, Ponder, Locker make look way better than they are..

by diRtybiRds on Dec 1, 2011 11:56 AM EST reply actions

Darrin Walls

While it’s extremely disappointing we are losing Grimes I think if Walls can get some snaps he is going to prove to a lot of people why he made our roster. I think this kid has a lot of upside and honestly I think he and Franks have the potential for us to have one of the deepest cornerbacks in the league. This is also huge for Chris Owens because he is really going to have to step his game up the rest of this year and next preseason if we wants to make our roster next year. All we need now is a new defensive coordinator, head coach and offensive coordinator and we’ll be set for the Super Bowl!!!

by Falconzfan284 on Dec 1, 2011 3:22 PM EST reply actions