FLOWERY BRANCH — When Falcons fullback Ovie Mughelli went down with a knee injury, coach Mike Smith didn’t agonize over his next move.
Enter Jason Snelling.
The versatile running back likely will see the majority of time at fullback now that Mughelli has been lost for the season with a torn MCL in his right knee. It’s nothing new for Snelling to move up a spot in the backfield and turn from ball carrier to blocker. He has filled in for an injured Mughelli before. He also has replaced running back Michael Turner.
Snelling’s ability to play both positions is one reason the Falcons wanted to re-sign him in the off-season. He eventually signed a one-year, $1 million deal.
Preparing to play either position is part of Snelling’s weekly game plan.
“You just have to have zoom focus on both positions,” Snelling said as the Falcons returned from their bye week and readied to play the Colts on Sunday. “You have to focus on each assignment from both positions. It’s something I’ve been doing for a while.
“I go into each week not knowing where I’m going to be, so I prepare for both.”
Mughelli was injured against the Lions on Oct. 23. The Falcons put the Pro Bowler on injured reserve two days later and signed Mike Cox.
Mughelli is scheduled for surgery Monday and will require “significant recovery time,” according to Smith.
“He is so important to our offense,” wide receiver Roddy White said of the loss of Mughelli. “A lot of people don’t see all the undercover things that he does. He helps Mike get off to great starts. Mike has been rushing the ball really, really well the last couple of weeks. We’ve been doing a really good job, Ovie just getting on people and knocking them down and us getting positive rushing yards.”
Mughelli was injured with 12:44 remaining in the fourth quarter with the Falcons holding a four-point lead.
“It was a critical time in the game I had to go out there,” Snelling said. “There was never a doubt from by teammates and coaches that I would be able to get it done.”
Smith would not detail changes in the Falcons’ offensive plans other than to say the loss of Mughelli is “obviously going to change [Snelling’s] role.” The Falcons could take advantage of Snelling’s receiving ability. Smith also would not elaborate on whether the role of rookie Jacquizz Rodgers will change.
Snelling, 5-foot-11, 223 pounds, is not a prototypical fullback. The recently signed Cox is listed as an inch taller and 29 pounds heavier. Snelling said a lack of size will not prevent him from doing his job.
“My mentality is to get the guy blocked,” Snelling said. “I go into every situation, every play just trying to beat my man and win that individual matchup. ... It may not always look as good as the other guys that have a little size, but at the end of the day it’s just getting him blocked and clearing the hole for your back.”
Turner, who is seventh in the NFL with 621 rushing yards, said his approach will not change with Snelling clearing the way.
“I’m going to trust Snelling to do his job and do everything he can to help this team succeed,” Turner said. “I wouldn’t change my style. We’ll see as the season goes if we have to make adjustments.”
In his limited time this season, Snelling has carried six times for 24 yards and caught 12 passes for 89 yards. Last season, filling in for Turner, Snelling had 186 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns in a September game against the Cardinals. That included 129 yards on 24 carries.
“Being with the Falcons, I’ve always had a lot of opportunities,” Snelling said. “The more I’ve been able to do, the more I’ve been able to get on the field.”
About the Author
