With Roddy White out, Leonard Hankerson is ready to soar
It was announced earlier today that Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Roddy White will undergo arthroscopic surgery to clear out his elbow. Head coach Dan Quinn expects the number two wide out to be back for the season opener on September 14th, but in the meantime it is Leonard Hankerson who will step into his role.
“I mean, my job is to just go out there and do whatever I can, whatever is possible, to help the team out,” Hankerson said. “Whether it’s making a block, whether it’s special teams, whether it’s catching the ball or whether it’s coaching up young guys, I feel like I can bring a lot to the team. Whatever I’m called upon to do, that’s what I’ll do.”
Hankerson was brought in over the offseason from the Washington Redskins and wasn’t guaranteed to make the roster. However, Hankerson has more than solidified his roster spot as the team’s number three or four wide receiver for 2015 with a great training camp.
In two preseason games, Hankerson has four receptions for 28 yards and a touchdown. The 26-year-old played under Falcons’ coordinator Kyle Shanahan while with the Redskins and is more than ready to help the Falcons in every way.
While with the Redskins, Hankerson’s potential was not maximized. The Redskins ran the ball more times than not, and didn’t have a star quarterback who could throw him the ball as much as he would like. Hankerson can lineup anywhere, but with Roddy out until week one at the very least, Hankerson will lineup on the outside as the number two receiver.
This also affects the other Falcons receivers as well. Rookie Justin Hardy will likely get the start in the slot while guys like Nick Williams and Marquez Clark will get more reps as well. The Falcons have two more preseason games remaining and will need production from receivers not named Julio Jones in order to build a roster capable of winning the NFC South in 2015.