Alex Mack dealing with an ankle injury in the run-up to the Super Bowl

File this one away under concerning but not yet alarming: It appears superstar center and all-around good guy Alex Mack is dealing with an injury that’s going to limit him all throughout this week.

This is the smart approach for the Falcons, who are going to need Mack at the height of his powers against a crafty Patriots defense. He was hurt against the Packers and still played most of the game, but I don’t need to tell you that ankles are tricksy and his status might be in doubt if the Super Bowl was this Sunday. Because it thankfully is not, this is more of a footnote and something that bears monitoring. Taylor Gabriel and Julio Jones are also dealing with injuries, though neither one seemed all that slowed versus Green Bay.

The rest should ensure that everyone suits up against the Patriots, and nobody’s going to be more important than Mack and Julio. Fingers crossed that they’re as close to 100% as anybody is this late in the season.