Falcons head coach 'heartbroken' for AJ McCarron following injury

During their preseason game Saturday, Falcons’ quarterback A.J. McCarron suffered a non-contact knee injury. Head coach Arthur Smith was “heartbroken” whil giving the injury update for McCarron, according to NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe.

Falcons’ A.J. McCarron injury

“Falcons HC Arthur Smith said he’s ‘heartbroken’ for QB AJ McCarron,” Wolfe said. “He noted that it was a non-contact knee injury that ‘didn’t look good.’ They did quick evaluation on the field but Smith notes they’ll have to confirm with the MRI.”

After signing with the Falcons this season, McCarron has been listed as second on the Falcons’ quarterback depth chart. The former back-to-back national champion from Alabama joined the Falcons as his fifth team since being drafted in 2014.

Wolfe reported on the injury situation during the game, highlighting that this could lead to a change in the depth chart for Atlanta.

“AJ McCarron has been ruled out of the game with a right knee injury. It’s Feleipe Franks’ show for rest of night. Something to watch going forward too. McCarron has been the Falcons QB2 all camp.”

While not competing for the starting position, McCarron had settled in well as the backup for Matt Ryan. After leaving the game Saturday with a non-contact knee injury, the door was left open for Atlanta’s rookie Feleipe Franks.

McCarron’s NFL struggles

As McCarron entered his seventh year in the NFL, he was hoping to find some stability for his career. In six seasons, the former national champion from Alabama had only started four games. With a 2-2 record McCarron had only thrown for 1,173 yards and six touchdowns.

The third most accurate passer by completion percentage in SEC history, McCarron entered the NFL draft with expectations to be drafted early. He would slide down until the fifth round; however, with rumors circulating that his draft stock had fallen because of pre-draft team interviews.

Drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2014, he would sign as a free agent with the Buffalo Bills in 2018. From Buffalo, he was traded to the Las Vegas Raiders and subsequently cut the next year. After signing a pair of one-year contracts with the Houston Texans, McCarron’s path had finally led him to Atlanta this season.

After signing another one-year deal, McCarron found himself securely in the backup role behind Matt Ryan. If the initial reports hold true, McCarron’s future with the Falcons may now be in question before he even had a chance.