FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – Curtis Lofton isn’t worried that the Atlanta Falcons have depth issues at linebacker entering the playoffs.
When the Falcons visit the New York Giants on Sunday, Atlanta will be just fine, according to the team’s defensive captain and starting middle linebacker.
Lofton believes Atlanta (10-6) can contain the Giants (9-7) without having to compromise its defensive schemes, particularly after starting weakside linebacker Sean Weatherspoon returned to practice Thursday after missing the previous day with a head injury.
The Falcons’ deficiency is at strongside linebacker, where the Falcons had three starters – Stephen Nicholas, Mike Peterson and Spencer Adkins – in the last three games. Adkins will make his second career start for the second straight week, but Lofton is hardly concerned that his teammate has played in just 15 games since he was drafted in the sixth round of 2009.
Rookie Akeem Dent, a third-round pick from Georgia, could be called upon to play some, too.