The Atlanta Falcons 2013 season continues its downward spiral as injuries rip through the starting lineup. In just 24 hours, the team is down one star wide receiver and could be without another one for a few weeks. After already losing defensive starters like Kroy Biermann and Sean Weatherspoon, plus injuries hitting Steven Jackson and Sam Baker, the Falcons cannot take much more bad news. However, news comes Wednesday that Roddy White could miss multiple games.
White is the only experienced wide receiver Atlanta has left. News surrounding Julio Jones is not good. The league-leading wide receiver suffered a foot injury Monday night where he broke the screw used to repair an earlier injury. Jones is getting a second opinion, but it is likely he will miss the remainder of the year. White and Gonzalez were the best offensive producers left on the roster. Well, now it could just be Gonzalez.
White left Monday's loss early with a hamstring issue. Pairing that injury on top of his high-ankle sprain suffering in the preseason and White's season outlook has turned muddy. The Falcons fear White could miss multiple games with both issues. Even with the bye week, Atlanta team sources say White is 50-50 at best to play in Week 7 against Tampa Bay. So where does that leave Atlanta with wide receivers?
Thomas Dimitroff is likely not going to trade for anyone like Kenny Britt or Josh Gordon, but the team will explore free agency. They have to. There is no one left with more than a year or two of experience to put alongside Gonzalez.
Mohamed Massaquoi is the first likely option. Atlanta has already taken a look at the wide receiver once before this season and could bring him back for another work out. The Falcons considered Massaquoi when White first got injured, but opted not to sign him after the veteran showed signs of healing. Now, they need him.
Massaquoi started his NFL career with the Cleveland Browns before getting released by both the Jacksonville Jaguars and the New York Jets. He has just seven career touchdowns despite starting 43 games, but with Matt Ryan at quarterback, he could see a rise in production. Massaquoi would not be expected to take over as a starter, but be merely a rotational guy.
Laurent Robinson is another option the Falcons could explore. The veteran has gotten a lot of attention as a free agent but has yet to sign anywhere. He has a disappointing year with Jacksonville last year, but that is typical for a Jaguars receiver. He did put down 11 touchdowns in 2011 with the Dallas Cowboys. Terrell Owens is also available, because at this point, why not?
Until Atlanta explores their outside options, Harry Douglas, Kevin Cone and Drew Davis will take over as the top receivers for the team. Douglas has been a reliable No. 3 all season while Cone has shown great signs of progress. Davis has only gotten limited action.
