Atlanta Falcons backup quarterback AJ McCarron was injured at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium in the second quarter and left Saturday's 37-17 loss against the Dolphins.
Although Arthur Smith, Falcons coach, didn't want any speculations on McCarron's injuries until McCarron had an MRI, he was not optimistic about the prognosis.
Smith stated, "I feel so sorry for AJ McCarron." It's hard to believe that something like this can happen, even if it's not contact. I feel sorry for AJ. He's devastated and will need an MRI.
"He had bounced back, and he was out fighting, fighting for the team and trying to get more yards."
With 10 minutes remaining in the first period, McCarron suffered an injury. McCarron gave the ball to Qadree Olson, and as he was attempting to make his usual movement after the handoff, he grabbed his right knee.
McCarron attempted to walk towards the sideline, but couldn't at first. After being examined by the Falcons medical staff, McCarron walked to the sideline. McCarron slowly walked to the Atlanta locker room, just minutes later. McCarron completed three of six passes for 43 yards, and ran one for seven yards against Miami. He was injured on the knee but he ran that play.
Smith stated that he was unsure if the play was related to McCarron's injury. McCarron was replaced in the No. 2 spot by Feleipe Franks, an undrafted rookie who had been fighting with him for that position. McCarron was replaced by Feleipe Franks, an undrafted rookie who had been battling for the No. 2 spot throughout training camp. Franks, originally expected to be in the second half, instead he entered the game with 10 minutes remaining in the first.
Franks completed four of nine passes for 46 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. He also ran three times for 32 yard. He was sacked 4 times.
Smith stated that Feleipe's one strength is his ability to extend plays. He threw the ball better at times tonight, I thought. He's still growing and we need to keep pushing him.
Smith stated that in order to develop quarterbacks you must play them. This was the mindset with Franks during the preseason's first two games. Smith stated that Franks' situation on Saturday, where he was forced to play sooner than expected because of injury, is an example of what his role as a backup quarterback would be.
McCarron's injury leaves Atlanta without starter Matt Ryan, who hasn't played this preseason. The Falcons may search the free-agent marketplace, where Robert Griffin III and Blake Bortles are former first-rounders.
Smith stated, "You're always going looking to improve the team." "So we need to determine what the injury is. Until you get an MRI, it is easy to see how things can happen. We're always trying to improve our roster.
"If it's long-term, sure, I'll continue looking."
McCarron was signed by the Falcons to a one year deal worth more than $1.21million on April 30, just hours before the second day in the NFL draft. McCarron was ranked 2 on the depth charts. McCarron was a fifth-round selection from Alabama in 2014. He has started four games and completed 62.6 percent of his passes.
