Deeply cursed rookie Falcons DT Marlon Davidson exits Chargers game with knee injury

Marlon Davidson was a special player in college, and one of the draft picks we were all the most excited about. A nimble-footed defensive tackle who could play defensive end and bring pressure at Auburn, Davidson figured to be a long-term complement to Grady Jarrett and a difference-maker for the next quality Atlanta defense.

That can and should still happen, but Davidson’s rookie season has been a nightmare. He’s been injured, on the reserve/COVID-19 list, mothballed by a coaching staff that didn’t think he was ready, and now injured again. He’s out for the rest of Falcons - Chargers.

We’ll hope this isn’t a long-term ailment, because that would be devastating for a player who has endured enough for his rookie season. Davidson had looked sharp in limited action of late and figured to be rounding into a role, so a knee injury that robbed him off the rest of the year would stink so much. We’ll hope he can be back and making plays for this defense over the next three weeks, because the defense needs him and he needs the opportunity.

No matter what, though, it looks like Davidson’s impact will truly be felt in 2021 and beyond. Let’s hope this frustrating rookie year is just a blip on the radar for a promising player.