Falcons place Sean Weatherspoon on short-term I.R.

The Atlanta Falcons defense has had some awful luck on the injury front, and we are only two weeks into the regular season. Sean Weatherspoon is one of the Falcons best players overall, and he is clearly an important piece in the Falcons defense. Weatherspoon suffered a foot injury on Sunday against the St. Louis Rams, and the injury was reportedly a foot sprain that wasn’t expected to be serious. However, almost like with the injury to Shane Vereen, the injury seems to be much more severe than initially expected, as the Atlanta Falcons have placed Weatherspoon on the injured reserve with a designation to return.

Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Sean Weatherspoon (56) reacts to a play in the second half against the Jacksonville Jaguars at the Georgia Dome. The Jaguars won 20-16. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

Weatherspoon’s placement on the short-term I.R. is definitely terrible news for the Falcons, and he won’t be eligible to return until Week 10. The Falcons front seven already had to absorb a huge hit after quality defensive end Kroy Biermann was injured for the season with an Achilles’ ailment, and they will now have to replace their most talented player in the front seven. Sean Weatherspoon is one of the most talented WILL linebackers in this league, and his production will be missed for the time being.

It’s crazy how Weatherspoon’s injury went from being viewed as relatively minor to now costing him a nice chunk of the regular season. The good thing is that Weatherspoon will be back when the Falcons need him most, so it’s not like losing Biermann for the entire season. UDFA rookie Joplo Bartu will be starting in Weatherspoon’s place, and we’ll see how he can do in a tough spot.

You can follow Joe Soriano on Twitter for more NFL updates and analysis @SorianoJoe. Be sure to like us on Facebook here and follow our site on Twitter as well.