Jake Matthews, Atlanta’s absolute iron man at left tackle, saw his incredible 199-game consecutive start streak come to a screeching halt Monday night. The veteran blocker exited the game early in the first quarter with a groin injury, immediately putting his return in serious doubt.
The Streak Ends Under the Lights
It was a tough sight for Falcons fans. Matthews, who boasts the longest active starting streak in the entire NFL, had just notched his 199th consecutive start before the injury forced him off the field. He was spotted on the sideline watching Atlanta’s 10-play, 65-yard scoring drive unfold, a drive that Michael Jerrell, his replacement, helped power. Jerrell stepped in quickly, clearing the way for Brian Robinson’s 4-yard touchdown run, but losing a player like Matthews is a gut punch no matter who steps up.
Another Defensive Blow Rocks Atlanta
The injuries didn’t stop with Matthews, either. Atlanta’s pass rusher Za’Darius Smith was also ruled out of the game with a concussion. Smith took a nasty knee to the head from a teammate earlier in the first quarter, leaving the Falcons’ defense short-handed. As of now, Atlanta holds a 21-7 lead, but losing key players on both sides of the ball this early in the game could make holding onto that lead a real challenge.
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Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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