The Falcons begin division play this weekend as the Saints come to town for a showdown in Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Unfortunately, Atlanta could be without as many as two starters along the offensive line. Drew Dalman and Kaleb McGary left the Chiefs’ game with lower body injuries.
Dalman is expected to miss time with a high ankle sprain, and a stint on the injured reserve is a possibility. McGary’s chances of playing Sunday are much better as he nurses a sprained MCL.
It’s not groundbreaking analysis to say the Falcons will gravely miss those two guys. Having McGary would go a long way against a stout Saints defensive front, but New Orleans will also be shorthanded in the trenches.
According to Mike Garafolo, Pro Bowl center Erik McCoy will undergo surgery on his groin and will be out for 6-8 weeks.
#Saints Pro Bowl C Erik McCoy’s groin injury is expected to require surgery that would sideline him about 6-8 weeks, sources say. A significant blow to Klint Kubiak’s offense, though it’s at least not a season-ending situation. pic.twitter.com/9bGyBxti8j
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) September 24, 2024
McCoy left the game on Sunday against the Eagles during the first drive, and the Saints offense struggled without him.
Klint Kubiak has been a revelation for New Orleans and Derek Carr through the first two weeks, combining for 91 points, 270 rushing yards, and 811 total yards against the Panthers and Cowboys.
However, they ran into Vic Fangio and the Philly defense, which held Carr and Kubiak to no touchdowns, 89 yards on 29 carries (3.1 yards per carry), and just 142 yards through the air. Losing McCoy undoubtedly contributed to that lack of production.
When he left the game, Lucas Patrick moved from left guard to center, and reserve lineman Oli Udoh came into the game at left guard. The Falcons’ defensive line, which has been gashed by opposing rushing attacks, will look to turn things around against this makeshift New Orleans offensive line.
Erik McCoy is vital to the Saints offense. He’s been starting at center since being drafted in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft, earning Pro Bowl honors last year. It’s obviously a tremendous loss.
The Falcons will certainly have the advantage with Grady Jarrett and David Onyemata along the interior, but Kubiak is creative enough to gameplan around that.
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