The Atlanta Falcons defense is going into their Monday night showdown against the Saints with a massive question mark hanging over it, as defensive end Samson Ebukam remains a limited participant in Friday’s practice due to a nagging hamstring injury. This isn’t just a bump in the road; it’s a critical hit to their defensive line rotation as they prepare for a divisional slugfest.
Ebukam’s Hamstring Poses Real Problems
Ebukam’s hamstring has been a real headache for the Falcons. He initially got dinged up in that Week 2 loss to the Panthers, and that injury was bad enough to keep him completely out of their Week 3 win over the Packers. Now, heading into Friday, he’s still stuck in “limited” status. You gotta wonder how much explosiveness he’ll actually have on Monday if he even plays. Losing that kind of pass rush presence, especially in a rivalry game, is a tough pill to swallow for any defense trying to make a statement.
More Hamstring Woes and Lingering Concerns
It’s not just Ebukam feeling the hamstring pinch, either. Linebacker Divine Deablo has also been limited for a second straight day with his own hamstring issue. Now, he’s been a warrior, playing every single snap against Green Bay and not missing any game action this season, which is clutch. But being limited this late in the week isn’t ideal. Plus, rookie linebacker Kendal Daniels just got added to the injury report as a limited participant, managing an Achilles injury that already cost him practice time over the summer. The only good news on the defensive front is Za’Darius Smith, who returned to limited work after a rest day. Still, three key guys either banged up or returning from rest is a lot to juggle for the defensive coordinator.
These injuries put a ton of pressure on the Falcons’ defense as they gear up for their Monday night battle against the Saints. You’ve got to question how effective Ebukam can be if he’s not 100 percent, and while Deablo’s played through it, you hope that hamstring doesn’t tighten up mid-game. The Saints are coming to town, and the Falcons need all their defensive playmakers on the field and at full speed if they want to get a win under the lights. Keep an eye on those injury reports leading up to kickoff; these could be game-changing details.
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Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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