Bengals to test Falcons defense hit hard by injuries
ATLANTA — Defensive coordinator Marquand Manuel described safety Ricardo Allen’s season-ending torn Achilles tendon as “another devastating blow” to the Atlanta Falcons’ defense.
Unfortunately for the Falcons (1-2), Manuel has made similar comments too often in the first month of the season. Every week, it seems, the Atlanta defense has to adjust to another jarring injury.
After already placing four players on injured reserve, including three top starters on defense, the Falcons will attempt to regroup when they face quarterback Andy Dalton and the Cincinnati Bengals today.
Allen was hurt early in overtime of last week’s 43-37 loss to New Orleans. The Falcons gave up 32 first downs and 534 yards as Saints quarterback Drew Brees took advantage of a depleted defense that already has lost safety Keanu Neal for the season and linebacker Deion Jones for at least eight weeks.
Defensive ends Takkarist McKinley and Derrick Shelby also were held out against New Orleans with groin injuries. McKinley is expected to play this week.
Players and coaches often recite “next man up” statements of hope, but that jargon carries little weight when that next man doesn’t play like the starter he replaced.
“This time the next man has got to be ready to tackle,” Manuel said. “We all saw that. It was nowhere near our standard a week ago.”
The defensive woes have overshadowed Atlanta’s offensive revival. The Falcons lost last week despite Matt Ryan’s first career game with five touchdown passes, including three to rookie Calvin Ridley.
Atlanta also has lost left guard Andy Levitre for the season with torn triceps.
The Bengals (2-1) have ample weapons to take advantage of replacement starters, even with running back Joe Mixon missing his second straight game following knee surgery.
Giovani Bernard is expected to start against an Atlanta defense unable to cover running backs out of the backfield for two straight weeks. Alvin Kamara (15 for 124 yards) and Carolina’s Christian McCaffrey (14 for 102 yards) each had big receiving days against the Falcons.
The Falcons rank 27th overall on defense. The Bengals, only one spot better at 26th, have their own defensive concerns, especially on third down. Cincinnati has allowed opponents to convert 52 percent of third downs, worst in the NFL.
New Bengals defensive coordinator Teryl Austin saw indications of improvement against Carolina, when Cincinnati allowed only 2 of 7 conversions on third down in the second half.
“Believe it or not, I thought we were really close to fixing it this week,” Austin said. “I think we’ll have an opportunity to fix that. I think we’ll be better next week.”