Falcons Lose Key Defender to Injury vs. Buccaneers
Cornerback Mike Hughes exited with an ankle injury during the first half of Atlanta’s matchup against Tampa Bay.
TAMPA – The Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers were knotted at seven in the first half of their Week 15 clash, but Atlanta may have to finish the night without a major piece of its defense.
Cornerback Mike Hughes left the game after coming up limping when he was inadvertently struck by a teammate during a tackle attempt. After a brief examination in the medical tent, he was taken to the locker room for X-rays, and the Falcons soon listed him as questionable to return.
Should Hughes be unable to come back, it would be a significant blow for a defense already missing nickel corner Billy Bowman Jr. and relying heavily on A.J. Terrell Jr. to contain one of the league’s strongest receiving corps.
Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich recently highlighted the challenge posed by Tampa Bay’s pass-catchers, noting the depth and flexibility of their group. He explained that with Mike Evans missing time earlier in the season, Emeka Egbuka had taken on many of Evans’ typical responsibilities. Now, with Godwin, Egbuka, Evans, and Tez Johnson all available, predicting how they’ll be used becomes even more complex.
Ulbrich said the Falcons are focusing more on Tampa’s overall offensive concepts rather than specific personnel matchups, calling it perhaps the team’s toughest assignment so far.
Midway through the second quarter, Atlanta has also been hindered by a string of penalties—several of them committed by Terrell in the secondary.
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