Falcons linebacker Sean Weatherspoon, who was in the starting lineup for the injured De’Vondre Campbell (ankle), made his first NFL start since the 2013 season.
Weatherspoon, a former first-round pick, started seven games in 2013, including the one against Washington on Dec. 15, 2013.
He suffered an Achilles injury and missed the 2014 season. He signed with Arizona in 2015, but was a reserve after being slowed by a hamstring pull.
He re-signed with the Falcons and made the team as a reserve weakside linebacker and special teamer.
Weatherspoon finished with nine tackles against the Raiders in the 35-28 victory.
“It was fun to start,” Weatherspoon said. “It was fun to go out there and be counted on. Fun to do your job. Some of them you leave out there and some of them you want back.”
Weatherspoon was partying in the locker room afterward.
“But ultimately, we came here for one thing, and that’s what the late great Al Davis would say, just win, baby, just win,” Weatherespoon said. “It helps so much when you can come on the road and win. We didn’t care. We were in a hostile environment, the black hole, but you’ve got to come out and do what you’ve got to do. It was a just a great feeling to win on the road.”
Weatherspoon was already looking forward to playing against the New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football on Sept. 26.
“We have an extra day to prepare,” Weatherspoon said. “Who knows what (Coach Dan Quinn) is going to have us do.”
