Adrian Clayborn’s season may be over after Atlanta Falcons sign DE
By John Follett
After the news of Malliciah Goodman’s signing, there’s reason to believe the Atlanta Falcons will sideline Adrian Clayborn for the remainder of the season.
It was initially reported Adrian Clayborn would about a month after suffering a knee injury in Week 12. Clayborn tore his MCL and partially tore his meniscus at some point during the Falcons game against the Arizona Cardinals. The 6th year defensive end underwent surgery and recently provided a positive update via Twitter:
Surgery went great. Time to attack this recovery so I can get back out there with my brothers!
— Adrian Clayborn (@AJaClay) November 30, 2016
Entering the mix is Malliciah Goodman, a defensive end familiar with the Atlanta Falcons. Goodman’s signing may indicate the Falcons have doubts Adrian Clayborn will be ready by the playoffs.
Atlanta may be anxious to get one of their best pass rushers back on the field but they also have to keep 2017 in mind. Atlanta signed Adrian Clayborn to a 2-year deal prior to this season. Injuries had already sidelined the 28-year old for a majority of the 2012 and 2014 seasons.
The Falcons drafted Malliciah Goodman out of Clemson in the 4th round of the 2013 draft. He appeared in 34 games, to include 11 starts, before being cut toward the end of Training Camp in September. He was most recently a member of the Seattle Seahawks.
Linebacker Brooks Reed lined up opposite of Tyson Jackson but made no impact against Kansas City’s offensive line. The Falcons defense as a whole struggled to apply pressure to Alex Smith without Adrian Clayborn on the field. Clayborn was 2nd on the team with 4.5 sacks and accumulated 19 solo tackles prior to his injury.
Brooks Reed will get the start at Los Angeles but look for the short leash. Dan Quinn may end up cycling through a rotation of Dwight Freeney, Courtney Upshaw, and Malliciah Goodman. Goodman having familiarity with Atlanta’s system has him in a position to contribute sooner than later.