Falcons vs. Steelers injury report: Derrick Shelby, Justin Bethel ruled out for Sunday

The Falcons are still nowhere close to healthy, and this week, they’ll once again be missing a key starter and a couple of role players. Stop me if you’ve heard a variation on this injury report before.

This week, it’s once again Derrick Shelby, with a side of Justin Bethel. Unfortunately, we already knew Grady Jarrett was going to be out, which means huge roles for Terrell McClain, Deadrin Senat and Jack Crawford this week.

Shelby’s the last defensive end in the rotation when he does play, but it would still be nice to have another live body there. The Falcons have used Steven Means pretty lightly thus far, leaving Takk McKinley, Vic Beasley and Brooks Reed to carry the load at defensive end. Last week’s strong effort aside and McKinley’s excellence duly noted, it hasn’t been a great group. Hopefully Shelby will be back next week against the Buccaneers, in case they decide to run the ball.

Bethel is last in the pecking order at cornerback but is a core special teamer, so I’m sure Keith Armstrong isn’t happy he’s once again unavailable. The Falcons will get by without him, of course, but it would be nice to have him around.

Jarrett is the big loss here, especially against a Pittsburgh offense that can be extremely potent. We’ll have to hope it’s only a one week injury and that Atlanta can weather the storm.