Falcons Defense Sweats Out Week 4 with Deablo and Ebukam Questionable

The Atlanta Falcons are heading into a massive NFC South clash with the New Orleans Saints, and their defensive front is suddenly looking a little light.

ESPN's Marc Raimondi reports that linebacker Divine Deablo and defensive end Samson Ebukam are officially questionable for Week 4.

"ESPN's Marc Raimondi reported the questionable tags for both Deablo and Ebukam."

Having one key defender pop up as questionable is a standard NFL headache. Having two guys who are supposed to set the edge and patrol the middle of the field get slapped with the 50/50 tag right before playing in the Superdome is the kind of news that makes defensive coordinators stare blankly at their play sheets.

Atlanta travels to New Orleans needing their defense at full strength. Missing Ebukam's pass rush or Deablo's tackling in the second level is a quick recipe for long, exhausting drives where the opposing offense just dictates the pace.

If you are holding tickets on Saints offensive props or looking at the game total, this is the exact type of injury report you monitor. A compromised Falcons pass rush gives any quarterback way too much time to get comfortable in the pocket, and missing a starting linebacker opens up the middle of the field for easy completions.

We will not know their true status until inactives drop closer to kickoff. Until then, Atlanta fans get to spend the weekend sweating out practice reports and hoping their defense does not have to rely on the backup unit to get stops in a hostile environment.