Quinn likes how inexperienced Falcons continue to contribute

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Coach Dan Quinn appreciates how the Atlanta Falcons are positioned atop the NFC South, holding a onegame lead over Tampa Bay with two games left in the regular season.

Now if the Falcons could just stop getting key players hurt, but Quinn is hardly despondent. Inexperienced players are stepping into big roles and impressing the coaching staff.

“I know we’re judged by what happens on Sundays, but honestly

I thought the game from yesterday was won during the week,” Quinn said Monday. “It was the preparation that the guys put in and having that mindset to go for it.”

When Atlanta (9-5) visits Carolina (5-8) this weekend, linebacker De’Vondre Campbell will not play after sustaining a concussion in Sunday’s blowout win over San Francisco.

Quinn isn’t sure of the status of tight end Austin Hooper, who left the game late with a knee injury. Campbell’s status, however, is a bigger concern for a defense that already has lost cornerback Desmond Trufant, safety Kemal Ishmael, linebacker Sean Weatherspoon and defensive end Derrick Shelby to season-ending surgeries. Defensive end Adrian Clayborn is likely inactive for a fourth straight week with a sore knee.

“It’s rough and a bummer for those guys,” Quinn said. “We have a number of guys who are ready if called upon, so we’ll take it through the week as we get ready to play.”

The Falcons hope that All-Pro receiver Julio Jones, out the last two games with a sprained toe, and cornerback Jalen Collins, sidelined against the 49ers with a knee injury, will be ready to play against Carolina.

Despite Jones’ absence, Quinn was delighted how well Aldrick Robinson filled in with a team-high 111 yards receiving on four catches. The coach also praised C.J. Goodwin, a receiver-turned-cornerback, and Deji Olaltoye, promoted from the practice squad three weeks ago.

“All the guys have been in the system long enough to know how we play,” Quinn said. “This is the technique we do.”

Without Hooper, the Falcons took another hit at tight end. Starter Jacob Tamme’s season ended in Week 8, which leaves only Levine Toilolo and undrafted rookie free agent Joshua Perkins as the lone players at their position.

Without Trufant, the team’s best defender, and Collins, a second-round draft pick last year, the Falcons used a four-man rotation at cornerback. Brian Poole, an undrafted rookie free agent who has started seven of his 14 games at nickel, played on every snap. Robert Alford, a full-time starter the last three years, was in for all but two snaps.

Goodwin and Olatoye subbed in for each other all afternoon at the outside spot opposite Alford.

“Those guys have good length,” Quinn said. “The times we played them in man-to-man, they really showed up. We thought they’d play well. They were ready to go. Their coaches trust them, their teammates trust them.”