The Falcons have been hit hard by injuries at strongside linebacker.
Because of injuries to Stephen Nicholas (quadriceps, toe) and Mike Peterson (torn triceps), third-year player Spencer Adkins, will make his first NFL start and be the X-factor for this game.
He has played mostly on special teams and has two career tackles from scrimmage. Both of those came earlier this season against Tampa Bay.
Adkins was a sixth-round draft pick from the University of Miami in 2009.
“Spencer’s had opportunities all through training camp and really all through practice to get some reps, albeit they’ve been limited,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said. “Spencer’s ready. We drafted him to come in here and play. He’s getting his opportunity to do it. I know he’s excited about it, and I’m anxious to see how he goes out and competes.”
Tampa Bay is in throes of a nine-game losing streak, but they still have formidable weapons in tight end Kellen Winslow and running back LeGarrette Blount.
Adkins must be fluid in coverage and stout against the run.
“He’s a guy that has got very good speed, and he’s a very physical football player,” Smith said. “That’s what you want in a linebacker.”
Peterson was signed as a free agent in 2009. Nicholas was drafted in 2007 and Sean Weatherspoon, a first-rounder, was added in the 2010 draft.
“It’s been a very competitive group since we drafted Spencer, and he has not had an opportunity to play many scrimmage snaps,” Smith said. “In some of our special packages, he got some limited snaps, so he has played. It’s not going to be the first time that he’s running out there on a scrimmage play to play.”
Curtis Lofton is a fourth-year player, and Weatherspoon is in his second season. The linebacker group will be much younger.
“We don’t have as much experience as if the other two guys were out there, but these guys have been put through the preparation process and the cycle that they go through,” Smith said.
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