The Atlanta Falcons and San Francisco 49ers meet this weekend in the Georgia Dome, and while neither team is plagued with injury concerns entering the weekend, their primary pass rushers could change the complexion of the game.
NFC Championship Game, 49ers vs. Falcons injury report: Pass rushers limited on both sides
Their primary pass rushers are in a sack drought, but both the 49ers and Falcons will need their players healthy this weekend.
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James Dator has been covering a wide range of sports for SB Nation for over a decade, with a special focus on the NFL.
Aldon Smith and John Abraham represent San Francisco and Atlanta's primary pass rushers respectively. In many ways the heart of their defenses, both were limited again in Thursday practice -- their third consecutive day. Accounting for over half his team's total sacks in 2012, being without Smith would be a serious blow for San Francisco, especially given fellow lineman Justin Smith is still recovering from injury. The key to a 49ers victory will be rushing the passer and ensuring that Matt Ryan isn't able to sit in the pocket and pick them apart.
As it stands both Smith and Abraham are expected to start. However, if they’re still limited tomorrow it will be interesting to see if their performance in affected due to lack of preparation. Both players are in somewhat of a sack drought -- it’s been four weeks since Aldon Smith got to the quarterback, and five since John Abraham has registered a sack. Both teams will hope their primary pass rushers are prepared and healthy heading into the weekend.
San Francisco 49ers
Name | Position | Injury | Wed | Thu | Fri | Status |
CB | shoulder | LP | LP | - | - | |
FB | shoulder | LP | LP | - | - | |
Aldon Smith | LB | shoulder | LP | LP | - | - |
G | knee | FP | FP | - | - | |
LB | shoulder | FP | FP | - | - | |
TE | foot | FP | FP | - | - | |
CB | knee | FP | FP | - | - | |
S | shinr | FP | FP | - | - | |
LB | knee | FP | FP | - | - | |
RB | knee | FP | FP | - | - | |
LB | shoulder | FP | FP | - | - | |
G | shoulder | FP | FP | - | - | |
Justin Smith | LB | elbow, triceps | FP | FP | - | - |
LB | shoulder | FP | FP | - | - |
Atlanta Falcons
Name | Position | Injury | Wed | Thu | Fri | Status |
John Abraham | DE | ankle | LP | LP | - | - |
DT | shoulder | LP | LP | - | - | |
Christoper Owens | CB | hamstring | LP | LP | - | - |
S | hand | FP | FP | - | - | |
Stephen Nicolas | LB | foot | FP | FP | - | - |
For more on the San Francisco 49ers, please visit Niners Nation. To read more on the Atlanta Falcons, head over to The Falcoholic.
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