Falcons WLB Sean Weatherspoon suffered a ruptured Achilles' tendon on Tuesday, and is out for the season. Weatherspoon suffered the injury as he rehabbed the knee ailment that hobbled him in 2013. He'll undergo surgery in the "near future." It's a crippling blow for a defense that was ravaged by injury and a lack of depth last season. GM Thomas Dimitroff added only band aids in the draft and free agency. The Falcons have no good options to replace their starting weak-side linebacker, who has missed 16 combined games over the past two seasons. Fourth-rounder Prince Shembo could be forced into heavy snaps. Going into the final year of his rookie contract, Weatherspoon will now enter free agency as an injury-prone 27 year old. The Falcons are going to be in weekly shootouts, much like the Jason Garrett-era Cowboys.

Falcons WLB Sean Weatherspoon (knee) will be sidelined until training camp. Weatherspoon missed the final two games of last season with a knee issue. He didn't need offseason surgery, but the Falcons are going to take it easy with him. Just last month, Weatherspoon said he was at 80 percent. Once healthy, Weatherspoon could be asked to play inside 'backer if the Falcons switch to the 3-4.

Falcons WLB Sean Weatherspoon is still rehabbing a knee injury. Weatherspoon appeared in just seven games last season, starting the year on injured reserve with a designation to return and ending it by sitting out the last two weeks with a knee issue. The good news is he didn't need surgery. Weatherspoon should be fine to run with the starters on the weak side by training camp.

Falcons WLB Sean Weatherspoon missed 11 tackles out of 47 opportunities last season. Weatherspoon ranked No. 39 out of 40 qualifying players in tackle efficiency at Pro Football Focus. While his 2013 numbers represent a small sample size, Weatherspoon has finished in the bottom 25 percent of 4-3 outside linebackers in tackle efficiency in each of his four seasons as a pro.

Sean Weatherspoon (knee) and Jacquizz Rodgers (concussion) are inactive for Sunday's Week 17 finale against the Panthers. Weatherspoon's disappointing fourth NFL season ends with just 38 tackles in seven games played as he battled both foot and knee woes. He needs to get healthy and regain effectiveness on the weak side if the Falcons defense is going to have any shot at a turnaround in 2014. The rest of Atlanta's inactives: S Sean Baker, DT Adam Replogle, OT Terren Jones, G Garrett Reynolds and OT Sean Locklear.

Falcons WLB Sean Weatherspoon (knee) is inactive for Monday night's Week 16 games against the 49ers. Weatherspoon didn't practice at all this week. Stephen Nicholas and Joplo Bartu will start at outside linebacker for Atlanta, with Paul Worrilow manning the middle. Also inactive for the Falcons are WR Darius Johnson (ankle), RB Josh Vaughan, S Zeke Motta, OL Terren Jones, OL Sean Locklear, DL Travian Robertson.

Falcons activated WLB Sean Weatherspoon (foot) from injured reserve/designated to return. Coach Mike Smith announced on Monday that Weatherspoon will be ready to roll for Wednesday's practice. 'Spoon will presumably start Sunday's game against the Bucs, though it's possible he'll be on a snap count. Weatherspoon last played in Week 2.

Falcons WLB Sean Weatherspoon (foot, I.R./recall) will be activated for Week 11. Coach Mike Smith expects Weatherspoon to be activated "within the next 48 hours." He'll participate in Wednesday's practice. Although he's been sidelined since Week 2, it's quite possible Weatherspoon will be in the starting lineup against the Bucs.

Falcons WLB Sean Weatherspoon (foot, short-term I.R.) returned to practice Wednesday. Weatherspoon suffered a Lisfranc injury in Week 2. He was eligible to return to practice this week and can play in Week 11. Undrafted rookie Joplo Bartu has been filling in for Weatherspoon but has struggled mightily. Weatherspoon's return will be a major boost to the defense, especially in pass coverage.

Falcons WLB Sean Weatherspoon (foot, IR/recall) remains in a walking boot. Weatherspoon went down with a Lisfranc injury during Week 2 and isn't eligible to play until Week 11. He's not going to come out of a phonebooth and save the Falcons' 1-4 season.