Falcons Rod Coleman - torn quadricep

[PewterPirate]

ATLANTA -- For the second time in a week, the Atlanta Falcons have lost a key defensive starter to an offseason injury that could sideline him several months. This time, it's standout tackle Rod Coleman, who suffered a ruptured right quadriceps that required surgery Monday.

Rod Coleman

Coleman

The team's starting "under" tackle and a Pro Bowl-caliber defender, Coleman will likely miss the entire offseason training program and training camp and there is a chance he might not be completely rehabilitated by the start of the regular season.

The injury, which Coleman acknowledged to several teammates, occurred over the weekend in a boating accident.

Starting weakside linebacker Demorrio Williams last week suffered a torn pectoral muscle while lifting weights, general manager Rich McKay revealed Sunday, and his rehabilitation timetable is five months. The loss of Williams, a fourth-year veteran and one of the team's best athletes, precipitated the selection of South Florida outside linebacker Stephen Nicholas in the weekend's draft.

First-year coach Bobby Petrino said Nicholas, chosen in the fourth round, will line up with the starting unit when the Falcons convene for a mandatory minicamp late next week.

Coleman, 30, may be extremely difficult to replace. The eight-year veteran is one of the premier interior pass-rushers in the NFL and leads the league in sacks by a tackle (44

[Drkraven]

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