Falcons Officially Place LT Sam Baker On Season-Ending IR

Update:

The Falcons announced that they have placed LT Sam Baker on season-ending injured reserve and signed veteran OT Pat McQuistan to take his place on their roster, per Jay Adams.

• Brian McIntyre points out that the Falcons have $10.081 million in cash and $9.483 million in cap space from the players they have placed on injured reserve.

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ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Vaughn McClure) has confirmed that Falcons LT LT Sam Baker‘s does in fact have a ruptured patella tendon and is out for the season.

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Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reports that initial tests conducted on Falcons LT LT Sam Baker‘s knee indicate that he has a torn patella tendon.

If further testings confirms the early diagnosis, Baker would likely be done for the season.

Even if Baker only missed a number of weeks due to this injury, it’s already a major loss for a team that doesn’t have a lot of quality depth at offensive tackle.

First-round pick Jake Matthews could be forced to move from right tackle right out of the gate, but there is at least a chance he would be solidify the position. Lamar Holmes could be asked to play right tackle, depending on what the Falcons coaching staff elects to do.

Baker, 29, is entering the second year of his six-year, $41 million deal. Last year, he was limited to appearing in just four games after he suffered a knee injury was placed on season-ending injured reserve.

We’ll have more updates regarding Baker’s injury as the news is available.