If the Falcons triumph in this game against the Saints, they will likely to do so without two of the best players.
S Ricardo Allen has been ruled out with a concussion. #NOvsATL
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) January 3, 2016
WR Julio Jones has an ankle injury and is questionable to return #NOvsATL
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) January 3, 2016
This is a big blow for the Falcons. No Julio obviously means no shot at a record, though the only really important thing here is that Julio doesn't suffer the kind of major injury that will cost him availability this coming summer. Without him, the offense will lean very heavily on Roddy White, Jacob Tamme, and Devonta Freeman in the passing game. We'll see if he can return.
Allen has been very solid to very good all year long, and his concussion means he won't be back. We'll see what his role looks like in 2015, but for today, the Falcons will fill his shoes with some combination of Charles Godfrey, Robenson Therezie, and Kemal Ishmael.
We wish both injured Falcons well. Now let's see if the Falcons can get the win.