AJC > Sports > Falcons > Blog > Archives > 2006 > November > 08
Wednesday, November 8, 2006
Dealing with injuries
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It was a whirlwind of a day at Flowery Branch, with injuries and their byproducts dominating the current and future state of the team.
Atlanta placed guard Kynan Forney (shoulder) on injured reserve, which means he’s done for the year; signed veteran safety Lance Schulters to replace Kevin Mathis (injured neck-IR) and activated running back Marlion Jackson from the practice squad.
Forney being placed on IR means that Tyson Clabo will assume the starting job for the foreseeable future. Although Matt Lehr returns from his steroid suspension next week, Clabo and left guard P.J. Alexander might remain the starters.
The acquisition of Schulters was more for veteran insurance than for immediate dividends. Schulters is an eight-year veteran who played for Mora in San Francisco, had some solid years with Tennessee and spent last season in Miami. He will be used if starters Lawyer Milloy or Chris Crocker get hurt.
Rookie Jimmy Williams will take over for Mathis in the nickel package, although he will be used as the nickel corner and starting cornerback Jason Webster will be moved into the slot. Second-year safety Cam Newton will take Mathis’s place on special teams.
The activation of bruising tailback Marlion Jackson from the practice squad could signal that backup tailback Jerious Norwood might not be ready to play Sunday against Cleveland. Norwood had an MRI exam done on his right knee following the 30-14 loss at Detroit Sunday and the test revealed a sprain.
Jackson’s, 6-2, 240, is a speedy bruiser who looked strong in preseason and could provide some muscle in short-yardage situations.
