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One of the biggest questions heading into the season is if the Falcons have finally fixed the leaky offensive line. Thomas Dimitroff decided it was finally the year to work on the trenches, adding two first-round offensive lineman and two well-paid free agents.
Half of the new additions are not practicing. Specifically, guard James Carpenter left practice on Monday after a potential quad injury.
On James Carpenter: Quinn should have a better answer for us tomorrow. MRI today.
— Jeañña (@jeannathomas) August 5, 2019
Carpenter was rotating with the starting offense but appeared behind the higher-paid Jamon Brown with rookie Chris Lindstrom locking up the right guard spot. An injury, even a small one, will probably push him to a backup spot.
Per Jeanna Thomas, Carpenter has been ruled out.
Quinn says James Carpenter will not play in this game, will see where we go next week with him. Not a long-term injury.
— Jeañña (@jeannathomas) August 6, 2019
The good news is the injury appears minimal. Quinn will most certainly try to get his team healthy entering week 1.
The bad news for Carpenter is Brown will now get the bulk of starting snaps. Similar to Kaleb McGary’s heart procedure, the short-term injury may force him out of the starting lineup early in the season. Brown and Ty Sambrailo are most likely starting against the Minnesota Vikings on September 8th.