Antone Smith Injury: Updates on Falcons Star's Leg and Recovery

Atlanta Falcons running back Antone Smith will be placed on season-ending injured reserve after suffering a broken right leg in Sunday's 19-17 victory over the Carolina Panthers, the team announced Monday:

Smith, 29, was injured while covering a punt in the fourth quarter and needed to be helped off the field by the training staff. The fifth-year pro was in the midst of his best career season on offense, gaining 222 yards on 13 receptions and adding 144 yards on 23 carries. He had five total touchdowns.   

The Falcons found use for Smith's explosiveness on third downs early in the season, though he'd been phased out of the offense in recent weeks.

Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com noted Atlanta could activate Drew Davis to fill Smith's roster spot:

Undrafted out of Florida State in 2009, Smith bounced around on practice squads before landing in Atlanta, where he's emerged as a special teams ace. He is in the final season of a two-year, $1.43 million deal signed before the 2013 season, per Spotrac.

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