In addition to praising the backup right tackle Storm Norton, Atlanta Falcons coach Arthur Smith provided an injury report on starting right tackle Kaleb McGary.
With starter Kaleb McGary leaving the game early against the Houston Texans on Sunday, the Atlanta Falcons appear to have avoided an injury.
McGary was seen pedaling a stationary bike on the sidelines after suffering a knee injury with three drives remaining in the game, which coach Arthur Smith deemed a “good sign” but acknowledged the club was still awaiting additional examinations.
By the time the Smith team met with reporters once more on Monday, the results were in, and they were encouraging.
McGary’s injury, according to Smith, is “nothing major,” but it’s still unclear whether he’ll be available for this coming Sunday’s game against the Washington Commanders.
Smith remarked, “We’ll have to watch how the week develops. “We have some bumps and bruises, but nothing to report that will keep anybody out long-term.”
The same is true for defensive line veteran Calais Campbell, who left the game after suffering a stinger in his trap, according to ESPN. Campbell believes everything will be alright from now on.
The answer is less clear with McGary, but the Falcons got a promising look at their depth should the fifth-year pro miss any action.
On September 26, Storm Norton, an 18-game starter with professional experience, was signed off the practice squad of the New Orleans Saints and entered the game for the final three possessions.
Once Norton entered the game, the Falcons strung together drives of 74, 59, and 51 yards, two of which resulted in scores and guided Atlanta to a critical victory after back-to-back losses by double digits.
The 29-year-old Norton went from the Falcons’ biggest rival’s practice squad to an important player in a crucial early-season game in less than two weeks.
Smith, who noted Norton’s performance, unprompted praised the 6-7, 317-pound lineman while giving credit to Atlanta’s front staff for bringing him in.
Smith remarked, “Storm comes in there and doesn’t flinch.” “Credit to our football staff — the reason you keep looking. Right fit, a man who has experience. He didn’t flinch, played quite well for him, and contributed to our victory.
Look at the revolving door at left guard last season, when four players won starts, to illustrate how often the Falcons have brought in unheralded veterans and had excellent results.
While the showy arrivals garner the majority of attention, Smith is convinced that it won’t be the last. Under the radar signings consistently matter on Sundays, as Norton demonstrated against Houston.
“That’s what you do and that’s when you have a real football staff and you’re trying to constantly improve,” Smith stated. “Those are things that nobody ever sees, but they help you win games.”
And so, whether or not the Falcons have McGary this week isn’t overly concerning – they believe in their process and now have evidence that Norton can be a plausible replacement.
Nonetheless, McGary’s injury doesn’t appear to be long term … though his immediate status won’t be in until Sunday, when Atlanta hosts Washington at 1 p.m. inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
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