The Falcons’ young defense suffered another blow on Sunday with the loss of defensive end Adrian Clayborn, who’s facing surgery and is expected to miss at least month of action, according to an espn.com report.
Falcons coach Dan Quinn wouldn’t reveal the extent of Clayborn’s injury when asked about it on Monday. He doesn’t have to released his injury report until Wednesday, but did say that Clayborn could not have re-entered the game.
“He’s sore today,” Quinn said. “He’s going to see the doc and we’ll have an update for you on Wednesday. We don’t have anything to give you today.”
When asked if Clayborn could have return, Quinn said, “Not yesterday….He would not have been able to go back in the game yesterday. But we’re hopeful and we’re looking forward to having him.”
Clayborn reportedly tore the medial collateral ligament, partially torn his meniscus, likely will have surgery and is expected to miss a month, according to the report.
Clayborn is second on the team with 4.5 sacks. He leads the team with eight tackles for losses, has 20 tackles and one pass breakup.
With Clayborn out, the Falcons used linebacker Philip Wheeler as a rush end at times against the Cardinals.
Clayborn is listed as the No. 2 defensive end behind Brooks Reed. Dwight Freeney is listed No. 3.
Clayborn played 28 of 66 defensive snaps (42 percent) against the Cardinals before suffering his injury.
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