Falcons Defense Takes a Hit: Samson Ebukam Out, Billy Bowman Questionable Against Packers

The Atlanta Falcons are limping into their Thursday night matchup against the Green Bay Packers, and the defensive depth chart is starting to look like a suggestion rather than a roster.

Veteran defensive end Samson Ebukam has been officially ruled out with a hamstring injury, while second-year cornerback Billy Bowman Jr. is questionable.

"Marc Raimondi reported: 'CB Billy Bowman is questionable for tomorrow night's game against Green Bay. DE Samson Ebukam has been ruled OUT.'"

Losing a veteran edge rusher and potentially your young defensive back on a short week is the kind of recipe that makes opposing offensive coordinators smile in the film room. When you are trying to bounce back from a 34-3 absolute cratering against the Carolina Panthers, losing a 245-pound lineman with a decade of experience is not exactly the spark the locker room needs.

Then there is Bowman, who is currently carrying an Achilles designation. The former fourth-round pick already fought his way back from an Achilles injury that derailed his rookie campaign, so seeing that specific body part back on the injury report is enough to make any Atlanta fan hold their breath.

For anyone staring at the totals or player props for Green Bay, this is the exact type of defensive shuffling that moves the market. The Packers just grinded out a 20-17 win over the New York Jets, and a depleted Falcons defense might be the perfect runway for them to open things up.

We will find out exactly how thin the secondary is when the final inactive list drops before kickoff. Until then, Atlanta has to figure out how to generate a pass rush without one of their most experienced guys on the field, which usually ends in a long night of chasing shadows.