Falcons place Weatherspoon on short-term IR


The loss of LB Sean Weatherspoon is a major blow to Atlanta's defense. (Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports)

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Atlanta Falcons linebacker Sean Weatherspoon was placed on injured reserve with a designation to return with a foot injury.

Weatherspoon will miss the next eight weeks and is eligible to be activated for the Nov. 17 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

With Weatherspoon out, the Falcons will start undrafted rookie Joplo Bartu, who played 63 snaps Sunday against the St. Louis Rams.

“In the preseason, we used him exclusively one game and we wanted to see how he handled it,” coach Mike Smith said. “He earned the opportunity to go out there and play in our (nickel) package. I thought he did a good job. He made a great tackle there early on the first drive when they were backed up. It was a text book open-field tackle. I think he will continue to get more reps.”

Weatherspoon is the third Falcons starter to be placed on injured reserve this week, following fullback Bradie Ewing and defensive end Kroy Biermann, who are on season-ending injured reserve.