Mohamed Sanu Injury: Updates on Falcons WR's Shoulder and Return

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Mohamed Sanu exited in Week 3 against the New Orleans Saints with a separated shoulder. However, he is ready to return.

Continue for updates.

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Sanu Active vs. Panthers

Sunday, Oct. 2

The Falcons announced Sanu is ready to play against Carolina in Week 4.

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Latest on Sanu's Practice Status 

Saturday, Oct. 1

The Falcons announced Sanu was a full participant in Friday's practice. 

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Sanu Aiming For Breakout Season

Sanu is coming off a disappointing 2015 season with the Cincinnati Bengals. He lost his starting job to Marvin Jones, which resulted in a significant drop in his production across the board. A year after catching 56 passes for 790 yards and five touchdowns, Sanu recorded 33 receptions and 394 yards. For the first time since entering the NFL in 2012, he failed to register a receiving touchdown.

The 27-year-old benefited from a thin free-agent class. Despite his lackluster numbers, the Falcons still signed him for five years and $32.5 million, per Over the Cap. Pro Football Focus' Ryan M. Smith wrote it was one of the riskiest moves in the offseason:

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To remedy the hole at WR opposite Julio Jones, the Falcons signed [Sanu] to a five-year, $32.5 million contract shortly after the free-agency period began. Sanu, who has been a part of a prominent passing attack in Cincinnati since being drafted in 2012, earned just a 53.5 overall grade in 2015. It’s fair to wonder if Sanu is the compliment to [Julio] Jones the team has been seeking for the past few seasons—especially at this price.

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Through Week 3, Sanu has hauled in 11 catches for 130 yards and a touchdown with the Falcons.  

It would be a major stretch to say Atlanta's playoff hopes rest solely on Sanu, but there's no question finding some help for Jones in the passing game will go a long way toward getting the team back into the postseason.