Atlanta Falcons vs. San Diego Chargers: Friday Injury Review

The Atlanta Falcons and San Diego Chargers play Sunday in the Georgia Dome in a pivotal clash for the NFC South leading Falcons. Atlanta needs to win this game to maintain it’s hold over the NFC South and show that they aren’t the same kind of team that they were last year.

The Chargers are trying to show that they are the same kind of team that they were hyped to be, but are fighting injuries that they can still be successful with. It will be a test of the depth for the Chargers versus the best of the Falcons.

San Diego Chargers Injury Report

The Chargers are looking vastly banged up for this week’s game. Their top three receivers are either out for the season or banged up for this week. It’s gotten to the point that they are basically stuck with only three or four active receivers the majority of the weeks. Travis Benjamin is fighting a knee injury for this week and if he’s out, the Falcons could use a lot of base defense.

The Chargers are also missing their main change of pace running backs in Branden Oliver and Danny Woodhead, so they have been forced to use Dexter McCluster in that role. The only places they’ve been able to stay healthy on offense are along the line and at quarterback—where all of their starters are healthy to play this week.

On defense, it’s even worse for the Chargers. They’ve lost their starting nose tackle Sean Lissemore and starting strong-inside linebacker Manti Te’o to season-ending injuries. But the true loss for them will be their top cornerback Jason Verrett and their No. 3 cornerback Brandon Flowers. The Falcons have one of the best receiving corps, so the Chargers will be tested here.

Add in the loss of strong safety Jahleel Addae and the Chargers are down five starters on defense with another rotational player hurt. The Falcons should be able to take advantage of the banged up Chargers defense despite solid play from fill-ins like Jatavis Brown, Brandon Mebane, and Casey Heyward. Atlanta is lucking out here playing the Chargers this banged up.

Atlanta Falcons Injury Report

The Falcons look relatively healthy compared to what the Chargers are going through. The Falcons will only be missing C.J. Goodwin and Taylor Gabriel. Both of those players have their biggest contributions coming on special teams and not on offense or defense. Atlanta did lose Derrick Shelby and Sean Weatherspoon for the season, but Weatherspoon has been replaced.

Gabriel is likely going to be replaced by Justin Hardy in all sets. Hardy isn’t as fast as Gabriel but he understands how to get open and has good hands. While Goodwin will be replaced by 2015 draft pick Jalen Collins in all sets, Collins will be making his Atlanta Falcons debut for 2016 after sitting out the first four games due to suspension and the next two as a healthy scratch.

Shelby is going to be replaced by a combination of Ra’Shede Hageman, Tyson Jackson, Grady Jarrett and Jonathan Babineaux depending on the set that he’ll be replaced in. Shelby was finally finding his stride. Atlanta also signed Cliff Matthews to compete for his vacant spot, and could look at Courtney Upshaw for his roles as well.