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Devin Fuller injury will keep him out of Week 4, may require surgery

It’s a tough break for a rookie who had been doing well, and it may open the door for other players.

NFL: Atlanta Falcons-Training Camp Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Devin Fuller had been somewhat of a touchdown machine between training camp and preseason, and looked better as a receiver than I think most of us would have anticipated. Given that and his obvious return ability, it seemed like a virtual lock that he’d grab one of the final receiver spots on this Falcons roster.

Unfortunately, that may no longer be the case.

We don’t know how severe this injury is, what the surgery would be, or how long we can anticipate Fuller being out either way, but a shoulder injury that causes a coach to bandy about the possibility of surgery is not a great thing. If we’re lucky, Fuller will just miss Week 4 and be back for the regular season, but it’s fair to say I’m not expecting that.

If Fuller is going to miss any significant time, it greatly increases the chances of a player like J.D. McKissic making the roster. McKissic has been a small factor in the passing game, but he looks great returning the football and would make sense as the team’s sixth receiver if Fuller is not here, assuming that the Falcons are keeping someone like Nick Williams or Eric Weems as their fifth option.

We’ll wait and see what happens with Fuller, but fingers crossed this is minor.