Falcons linebacker Marquis Spruill suffered a torn ACL in his left knee and will be out for the season, coach Mike Smith said on Thursday.

The Falcons are set to open the exhibition season against the Miami Dolphins at 7 p.m. Friday at the Georgia Dome.

Spruill was a fifth-round pick and the 168th player taken in the draft. The speedy linebacker was expected to be a reserve and contribute on special teams. He went down after a play on Wednesday and was helped off the field by two trainers.

In addition to losing Spruill, wide receiver Drew Davis (left leg), safety Zeke Motta (neck), running back Steven Jackson (hamstring), linebacker Pat Angerer (concussion), Terren Jones (concussion), safety Dwight Lowery (concussion), defensive tackle Corey Peters (Achilles) and offensive tackle/guard Gabe Carimi (ankle) are not expected to play.

Also, rookie safety Dezmen Southward, who returned to practice on Wednesday from an knee injury, participated fully in Thursday’s practice.

“It was good to see him back out here doing some things on the field and not being with the trainers,” Smith said.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) attempts a pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Sept. 29, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
(Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Featured

An email circulating through Georgia Tech told students and faculty to delete DEI terms from the school's website, but administrators said the email contained "misinformation." (Miguel Martinez/AJC 2024)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez