Falcons Hit by the Injury Bug, Revis Clears the Air with Schiano

In Week 2, the Atlanta Falcons (1-1) got their first win of the season, a 31-24 victory over the St. Louis Rams (1-1), but it came at an expense: the injury bug. The team has lost linebacker/defensive end Kroy Biermann  for the season with an Achilles injury leaving them thin in this position as linebacker Sean Weatherspoon was placed on injured reserve by the team Tuesday. He has been designated to return.

Weatherspoon’s foot injury also came in Sunday’s game but he is eligible to come back in Week 11. The team will play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-2) that week. To date, Weatherspoon had 10 tackles and in 2012, he sat at No 2 with 95 tackles along with three sacks and an interception.

To fill the linebacker holes, look for the two rookies to step up, Joplo Bartu and Paul Worrilow. The Falcons also signed Jamar Chaney and Omar Gaither to help.

Steven Jackson

And because we all know things happen in threes, the Falcons also announced on Tuesday that running back Steven Jackson will not play on Sunday against the Miami Dolphins (2-0). In Week 2, Jackson incurred a thigh injury. Earlier reports had him out for two to four weeks but the Falcons don’t appear ready to commit to that timeline yet.

On Tuesday, Falcons coach Mike Smith said via ESPN.com, “He will not play this week. I know that. It is short term. When I say short term, I don’t know if it’s two weeks or three weeks, but Steven is ruled out for the game this week and will not play.”

In Jackson’s absence, look for Jason Snelling and Jacquizz Rodgers to step up again. The duo should also stay busy as fullback Bradie Ewing, out with a shoulder injury, had been placed on injured reserve Monday.

Fullback Patrick DiMarco has been elevated from the practice squad to the active roster list.

Over on the defensive side, cornerback Asante Samuel, dealing with a thigh injury, has an unclear status for Sunday’s game but he is listed on the team’s depth chart.

First getting a win seemed like a challenge but now the Falcons will have to deal with injuries after entering the season with expectations to make a run for the Super Bowl. On Sunday, they’ll play a hot Dolphins team in Miami, who will get the win (-1, 44.5 o/u).

Looking toward the 2014 Super Bowl, the Falcons sit at 16/1 while the Dolphins are 20/1.

Revis, Schiano Have Sit Down 

For the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-2), their season is yet to take off but it’s already full of drama. It’s latest chapter appears to be rumors that veteran cornerback Darrelle Revis, who just joined the team in the offseason for $16 million, isn’t exactly happy with his new employer, namely his new coach Greg Schiano who uses “rules” in his defense and runs more zone coverage for the secondary than Revis desires.

Suddenly former New York Jets coach Rex Ryan isn’t looking so bad.

Darrelle Revis

The alleged complaining by Revis started on Sunday and by Tuesday, the player went to Twitter to set things straight regarding his unhappiness by tweeting, “What’s going on Buc fans. Just to clear the smoke. I’m happy to be a Buccaneer & I’m happy to be a resident of Tampa.” and “I’m excited for this year & I’m excited about this team as we move forward to prepare each week to get a W!!!”

Meanwhile Revis and Schiano apparently had a 15-minute sit down also on Tuesday to “clear the air,” reported NFL.com. Revis has said he’s frustrated by the 0-2 start, not the team’s coaching staff or his role in the defense.

This week, the Bucs will look to snap their losing streak against the New England Patriots (2-0) but it won’t happen (-7, 44 o/u).