Atlanta Falcons vs. Kansas City Chiefs: Breaking Down the Injury Report

As the Atlanta Falcons and Kansas City Chiefs get ready for their Week 1 matchup, they released injury reports throughout the week. The bigger question is not the report itself but how to read it.

Here we'll break down both the Falcons' and the Chiefs' reports and what they mean in terms of game impact.

Injury Reports Updated as of September 9, 2012, 1:22 AM

Kansas City Chiefs Injuries as reported on AtlantaFalcons.com

Name	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Designation
DT Anthony Toribio (ankle)	Did Not Practice	Did Not Practice	Did Not Practice	Doubtful
DL Allen Bailey (ankle)	Did Not Practice	Did Not Practice	Did Not Practice	Doubtful
LB Derrick Johnson (ankle)	Limited Participation	Limited Participation	Limited Participation	Questionable
CB Jalil Brown (groin)	Limited Participation	Limited Participation	Limited Participation	Questionable
CB Brandon Flowers (foot)	Limited Participation	Limited Participation	Limited Participation	Questionable
S Kendrick Lewis (shoulder)	Did Not Practice	Did Not Practice	Did Not Practice	Doubtful
LB Jovan Belcher (groin)	Full Participation	Did Not Practice	Limited Participation	Questionable

With the starting nose tackle and the primary rotational defensive end both in essentially "out" status, it's hard to see them playing in the game. Toribio has looked excellent as the main plugger in the middle of the line and without him there, the Falcons could take advantage of rookie Dontari Poe.

Starting safety Kenrick Lewis also being doubtful could completely open up the middle of the field for Harry Douglas and Tony Gonzalez on seam routes. Add in the injuries to Jalil Brown and Brandon Flowers and it's hard to see the Chiefs sticking with the Falcons' passing attack.

The biggest problem for the Chiefs, though, is in their linebackers. They will be missing Tamba Hali due to a suspension, and two of their other three regular starters, inside linebackers Jovan Belcher and Derrick Johnson, have injuries that could keep them out completely.

Best-case scenario for the Chiefs is that they have a completely banged-up defense. Worst-case scenario, the Chiefs will be missing seven starters. Either way, it doesn't look good for a team that should be able to compete for the AFC West championship.

Atlanta Falcons Injuries as reported on AtlantaFalcons.com

Name	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Designation
Jason Snelling (calf)	Limited Participation	Full Participation	Full Participation	Probable
Christopher Owens (hamstring)	Limited Participation	Full Participation	Full Participation	Probable

The Falcons come into the game relatively healthy. Outside of Snelling and Owens having minor injuries to fight throughout the week at practice, it looks like Mike Smith will have his full assortment of 53 players available for the game.

Overall, the Falcons look to be almost completely healthy while the Chiefs are banged up on defense. The Falcons should be able to take advantage of the injuries and turn in an excellent offensive performance in this game, and have an injury advantage when it comes to winning the game.

Scott Carasik is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. He covers the Atlanta Falcons, NFL and NFL Draft. He is also the Falcons analyst at Drafttek, runs the NFL Draft Website ScarDraft.com and hosts Kvetching Draftniks Radio.

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