Atlanta Falcons Preseason: Latest Buzz on Player Injuries

Thursday night was the Atlanta Falcons' second preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Unlike last weeks matchup against the Ravens, the Falcons did not suffer any major injuries in this contest.

New Injuries:

Peter Konz, Backup Right Guard

Rookie Konz was shaken up in the third quarter of the Bengals game, but walked off field under his own power and later returned to the game. 

Konz returned to play at a high level, so there is no immediate concern.

Existing Injuries:

Jason Snelling, Backup Running Back

Snelling sat out the second preseason game with an injured lower right leg.  Snelling has seemed to be close to returning to practice this week.  Hopefully the Falcons will have him back in time for some work in the important third game of the preseason.

Harry Douglas, Third Wide Receiver/Kick Returner

Douglas missed the first preseason game with a rib injury but returned to action on Thursday against the Bengals. Douglas seems to be healed from the rib injury suffered in the practice against the Titans.

Corey Peters, Backup Defensive Tackle

Peters has been recovering from a foot injury that he suffered in May. He broke out last season with 26 tackles and three sacks, starting 15 games. The Falcons are counting on him as part of Atlanta's tough run defense, so his return will be key.  He also is behind in immersing himself in new DC Mike Nolan's schemes but should be able to catch up if he returns soon.  He is expected to be medically re-evaluated in about a week.

Kerry Meier, Fourth Wide Receiver

Meier is expected to be the Falcons' No. 4 receiver this year. He missed practice this week with a minor leg injury.  Meier's role is essentially special teamer and backup for all three wideouts in three-receiver sets. 

Akeem Dent, Starting Middle Linebacker

Akeem Dent got into a helmet-to-helmet collision on a special teams play in the first half of the game against the Ravens. 

According to coach Mike Smith, Dent is feeling much better. Veteran Mike Peterson will continue to see snaps at MLB until Dent returns to the lineup.

Bradie Ewing, Competing for Starting Fullback

Ewing tore his ACL on a special teams play during the first half of the game vs. the Ravens. 

Ewing will be out for the entire season. Due to this, the Falcons signed free agent RB Lousaka Polite, who quickly emerged tonight as competition to Mike Cox by catching a touchdown pass from Matt Ryan.

Inactive Falcons players for the Falcons-Bengals game on Thursday night:

LB Akeem Dent, DE Louis Nzegwu, OT Lamar Holmes, CB Chris Owens, WR Kerry Meier, WR Michael Calvin, RB Jason Snelling