Falcons Lose LT Jake Matthews to Groin Injury Mid-Game

The Atlanta Falcons are currently cruising against the New Orleans Saints, but they will have to finish the job without their blindside protector.

According to Marc Raimondi, left tackle Jake Matthews has officially been downgraded to out with a groin injury.

"Marc Raimondi: 'LT Jake Matthews (groin) has been downgraded to out. #Falcons'"

Losing your starting left tackle mid-game is usually the kind of update that sends a fanbase into an immediate tailspin. Fortunately for Atlanta, they are already sitting on a comfortable 24-7 lead over their division rivals.

Still, a groin injury for an offensive lineman is no joke. You are basically asking a 300-pound man to anchor against freak-athlete edge rushers with a compromised core. That is a recipe for disaster, so pulling him was the only logical move.

For anyone holding live tickets on this game, the dynamic just shifted. Atlanta's offense might lean a lot heavier on the run game and quick passes to protect whoever is stepping in at left tackle.

When you are up three scores, you do not need your quarterback taking blindside hits because the backup tackle missed an assignment. Expect the play-calling to get very conservative, very fast.

The immediate focus for Atlanta is just bleeding the clock and getting out of this matchup with a win.

After that, it becomes a waiting game. The Falcons will need an MRI to figure out if Matthews just tweaked something or if this is the kind of injury that is going to linger into next week's prep.