Disclaimers apply, as usual. It's early in the week, some guys are sitting because they're getting old and Mike Smith wants them doing crosswords and complaining about kids these days instead of wearing themselves out practicing and others won't play and others will and blah blah blah.
With that out of the way, this is a fairly intimidating list of banged up birds, even if you discount John Abraham, Todd McClure and Tony Gonzalez and their sacred day of rest. That list includes Brent Grimes—Smith has already declared him out for this weekend, as a single tear rolled down his cheek—and Kelvin Hayden. The secondary is likely to be depleted again versus Cam Newton and the Panthers.
Unfortunately, other guys are hurting. Will Svitek did not practice with a groin injury and could somewhat ironically give way to Sam Baker if he can't go this weekend. Michael Turner is also struggling through a groin injury, which is very bad news given how inept the Panthers are against the run. If he's limited at all, we could finally see more of Jacquizz Rodgers and Jason Snelling.
On the defensive side of the ball, Stephen Nicholas didn't practice and is coming along slowly. Thankfully, he has Mike Peterson behind him, and Peterson was one of the team's best defenders a week ago. The Falcons don't have to rush Nickels.
There is a fairly lengthy list of guys who engaged in limited practices which you can read at the Falcons' site. I'll start worrying about them on Friday if that still holds true.
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