Falcons RB Norwood likely out vs. Cowboys

By D. Orlando Ledbetter

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

FLOWERY BRANCH -- Running back Jerious Norwood, who suffered a right hip flexor injury against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, said Wednesday he doesn't expect to play this weekend against the Dallas Cowboys.

He could be out "more than a couple weeks," Norwood said.

Norwood is the Falcons' backup behind Michael Turner. With the running game stuck in first gear against Chicago, Norwood came off the bench to give them a little spark before he was hurt.

He doesn't remember when he was hurt and has never had a hip flexor injury before.

"It hasn't been my year," said Norwood, who has suffered two concussions and a knee injury. Norwood, who is in the final year of his contract, didn't practice on Wednesdday.

The Falcons are thin at running back with injuries to Norwood and to fullback Ovie Mughelli (calf). Mughelli didn't play against Chicago and didn't practice Wednesday.

"We're hoping that we can get Ovie out here tomorrow to move around a little bit, and Jerious is day-to-day," said Falcons coach Mike Smith, who is much more hopeful than Norwood about the injured hip.

With the team down to three healthy running backs -- Turner, Jason Snelling and Verron Haynes -- former Florida State running back Antone Smith was signed to the practice squad.

Also, safety William Moore suffered a second pulled hamstring against the Bears.

"I can't say that he'll be ready to go this week," Smith said. "But we are going to try to get him out here as quick as we can."

Shockley released

The Falcons released quarterback D.J. Shockley from the practice squad Wednesday.

Shockley, a former star at Georgia and North Clayton High, was the third-string quarterback last season. This year he was unable to beat out John Parker Wilson for the No. 3 spot.

After the Falcons cut him, they re-signed him to the practice squad, and he helped the scout team at quarterback and wide receiver.

Aiming high

Falcons punter Michael Koenen can't wait for warmups at Cowboys Stadium. He wants to see if he can hit the controversial video board, which is 160 feet wide by 72 feet deep and hangs 90 feet above the playing surface.

"If I accidentally hit it, I accidentally hit it," Koenen said.

Secondary update

Chevis Jackson worked out at nickel back, which is vacant now that Brian Williams is on injured reserve.

"He was the guy that started there all of last season," Smith said. "We just rotated the new guy in, in Jamaal [Fudge]."

Cornerbacks Christopher Owens and Tye Hill also got extensive action.

"We were just trying to get a rotation and get guys prepared because of the loss of Brian," Smith said. "We've got to have contingency plans in the secondary."

DeCoud honored

Free safety Thomas DeCoud was named the NFC's defensive player of the week.

DeCoud, a first-year starter, had two key interceptions in the Falcons' 21-14 victory over the Bears in the nationally televised game.

DeCoud is the first Falcons player to win the award since John Abraham (Week 1) and Lawyer Milloy (Week 13) won it in 2006.