Falcons free safety Erik Harris’ season is over.
He sustained a torn pectoral muscle in the first quarter of the Falcons’ 29-21 win over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.
“So, we got the MRI in there,” Falcons coach Arthur Smith said Wednesday. “He has a tendon issue. He’ll go on IR at some point.”
Tight end Hayden Hurst (illness), outside linebacker Dante Fowler (calf) did not practice Wednesday. Safety Richie Grant (ankle) and outside linebacker Ade Ogundeji (ankle) fully participated in practice after not playing Sunday against Carolina. Defensive tackle Grady Jarrett (rest day) was limited in practice.
Harris’ injury was announced Sunday as a “chest” injury, with his return to the game questionable. He never returned after playing six plays before the injury.
Outside linebacker Dante Fowler (calf) and backup linebacker Emmanuel Ellerbee (knee) also were injured against the Panthers. Fowler played 42 of 64 plays (50%) and Ellerbee played 12 plays on special teams.
Fowler is “day to day,” according to Smith.
The Falcons already were thin at safety with Grant’s ankle injury. Shawn Williams was promoted from the practice squad to the active roster and played 18 plays on special teams against the Panthers.
Harris suffered the injury on Carolina’s first possession of the game and walked off the field with a member of the training staff.
Harris has 64 tackles, three tackles for losses, two quarterback hits and eight pass breakups. He was replaced by Jaylinn Hawkins.
Linebacker Daren Bates, who suffered a hamstring injury, returned to practice from injured reserve.
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Bye Week
Next four games
Tampa Bay at Falcons, 1 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 5
Falcons at Carolina, 1 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 12
Falcons at San Francisco, 4:05 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 19
Detroit Lions at Falcons, 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 26
