The Atlanta Falcons needed to add some linebacker depth after losing stalwart Sean Weatherspoon for the season again, so they signed depth guy Pat Angerer about a week ago. Angerer has experience and a good chance at cracking the roster as a veteran backup, but he also comes with plenty of health concerns. The former Indianapolis Colts starter needed microfracture surgery and was thus not retained by the Colts, as he’s also missed five games in each of the past two seasons.
Blogging Dirty
According to ESPN NFL Nation’s Vaughn McClure, it looks like Angerer may have already suffered an ailment with the Falcons as training camp, as he reports that the 27-year-old Iowa product complained about headaches and may have a concussion. McClure adds that we “will know more tomorrow”, and we can only hope than Angerer doesn’t actually have a concussion.
In 2011 while with the Colts, Angerer recorded a career-high 148 tackles, so he’s capable of racking up stats and can be a nice plug-and-play option if necessary. The former second-round pick is best-suited for a backup role, of course, because he’s had plenty of issues with leg and head injuries in his career. Paul Worrilow and Joplo Bartu are the current starters at both inside linebacker spots, with Angerer, Tim Dobbins, and rookies Prince Shembo and Yawin Smallwood fighting for backup duties.