There’s no fiery speech that can save the Falcons, no motivational message that can inspire them to overcome their many weaknesses.
That didn’t mean Sean Weatherspoon wouldn’t try.
After the Seahawks sliced through the Falcons’ defense in the first half Sunday, Weatherspoon gave an emotional halftime speech to his teammates. He was teary-eyed when he left the locker room, according to a report on the Fox telecast.
Weatherspoon couldn’t play because he was out with a foot injury he suffered in Week 2, but neither could he watch the Falcons’ defense get pushed around. So he said something.
“He’s done that many times for the Falcons,” coach Mike Smith said. “He’s a passionate, no-nonsense, positive guy. He was not pleased with the performance of his teammates, and he took it upon himself to talk to them.”
The defense put up more of a fight in the second half, but it hardly mattered in the 33-10 loss. It’s impossible to say whether Weatherspoon’s words had any effect, but Sunday at Tampa Bay he finally can do more than just talk.
Weatherspoon is set to be added to the active roster from short-term injured reserve Wednesday after missing the past seven games. Weatherspoon practiced last week, with conditioning as his focus, and said he could have played at Carolina on Nov. 3 if he were eligible.
Getting back their gregarious and enthusiastic captain should help a sagging defense.
“I think he’s a lift for the entire team, in particular on defense, without question,” defensive coordinator Mike Nolan said.
Weatherspoon and linebacker Kroy Biermann went down in Week 2, with Biermann lost for the season. Joplu Bartu and Paul Worrilow, both rookies who were not drafted, have filled in at linebacker and held their own under the circumstances.
But neither player has Weatherspoon’s talent, experience or presence. In addition to bringing his enthusiasm and leadership back to the field, Weatherspoon’s ability should help shore up Atlanta’s leaky run defense.
“It will be a big help to the defense,” Smith said. “Sean through his play has earned a leadership role. He is one of our best players. He’s got a great attitude. He’s a guy that can inspire his teammates. It will be good to have him back out there.”
Staying on the field has been an issue for Weatherspoon since the Falcons selected him in the first round of the draft out of Missouri in 2010. Weatherspoon missed five games because of injury during his rookie season. After starting all 16 games in 2011, he sat out three games in 2012 and has missed seven this season.
Weatherspoon began to say he might have to change his style of play before halting.
“I just have to play the game the way I play,” Weatherspoon said. “I will be all right. I’m good. I know when I am on the field and I am healthy, there are a lot of (opponents) who want to know where (No.) 56 is at. That’s all I can bank on.”
Surgery for Baker: Smith said offensive tackle Sam Baker will have season-ending knee surgery. The team placed him on injured reserve Tuesday.
Baker hurt the knee in the season opener and missed a total of five games. He played at Carolina in Week 8 after missing four games in a row, but was out again for the Seahawks game Sunday.
“The medical people say he needs to have the procedure done,” Smith said.
Second-year player Lamar Holmes now will be the full-time left tackle after filling in for Baker. Injuries stymied Holmes during his rookie season, and his struggles at right tackle during the 2013 exhibition season prompted the Falcons to sign Jeremy Trueblood.
“He’s gotten better,” Smith said of Holmes. “I don’t think he’s really had a setback game.”
The Falcons now have five starters on season-ending IR: Baker, Biermann, Julio Jones, Mike Johnson and Bradie Ewing.
The Falcons also released linebacker Thomas Howard on Tuesday. The team signed him as a free agent Oct. 22. The Falcons will have one open spot on the active roster after Weatherspoon is added.
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