Falcons' big win overshadowed by injuries to Abraham, Kerney

<p>The Atlanta Falcons had every reason to gloat after getting back at Carolina, dominating their division rival on the road after closing last season with a humiliating loss to the Panthers.</p><p>But the mood at the Falcons' training complex was a bit subdued after two key members of the defense went down with injuries in the opener.</p><p>Coach Jim Mora was tightlipped about the status of ends John Abraham and Patrick Kerney _ with four Pro Bowls between them _ heading into Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.</p><p>"I've got nothing on Pat and John," Mora said tersely at his Monday briefing. "It's too early to answer who will play there."</p><p>Abraham, the Falcons' major offseason acquisition, had a monster game in a 20-6 victory over the Panthers, manhandling the Carolina linemen like they were nothing more than a bunch of high school players. He had two sacks, forced two fumbles, made five tackles and created all sorts of misery for Carolina quarterback Jake Delhomme.</p><p>With less than two minutes to go and the Falcons preparing the celebrate, Abraham went down awkwardly while rushing Delhomme and didn't get up. He finally limped to the locker room with a groin injury _ a potentially major issue since Abraham missed most of the 2003 season with a similar problem while playing for the New York Jets.</p><p>"It's all speculation because I don't know the extent of the injury," said Mora, who, like most NFL coaches, is reticent to discuss such things. "We have an outstanding training staff. There's nothing they won't try within reason."</p><p>Kerney, who underwent surgery on his right elbow during the preseason, injured his right triceps on Atlanta's first defensive play while trying to shove away a blocker.</p><p>"I gave the guy a little heave and a bomb went off within the muscle," Kerney said. "I tried to play the second play but quickly realized that arm would be of no use to me."</p><p>He was limited to a handful of likely passing plays the rest of the way. Chauncey Davis got the bulk of the work.</p><p>After sounding despondent on Sunday, Kerney displayed a more positive demeanor a day later. There was no tear in the triceps, so he'll spend the week trying to strengthen it again so he can play against Tampa Bay, the second of three straight NFC South teams the Falcons will face to begin the season.</p><p>"I definitely think I'll be able to go," he said. "I woke up feeling light years better than yesterday."</p><p>While Abraham wasn't available for comment, Kerney said his fellow defensive end also appeared to be doing better.</p><p>"I expect Abe to go," Kerney said. "He's in the same situation I am. He's feeling light years better than he was."</p><p>If Kerney and Abraham can't play against Tampa Bay, the Falcons' defense will be at a major disadvantage. Even if one of them gets on the field, Atlanta will be hard-pressed to match the pressure it gets up front when both starters are healthy.</p><p>Just look at what happened last season, when Brady Smith went down and Kerney was forced to largely go it alone. Facing incessant double-teams, his sacks dropped from 13 to 6.5, while his tackles slipped from 81 to 59.</p><p>For that very reason, the Falcons surrendered a first-round pick as part of a three-team deal for Abraham, who signed a six-year, $45 million deal.</p><p>Now, after getting a tantalizing sample of what he can do, the Falcons are wondering if Abraham can play in Week 2 and how effective he'll be when he does return. He underwent an MRI on Monday to determine the extent of the damage, though Mora isn't likely to disclose his playing status until Wednesday.</p><p>"We all know how important Abe is to us and how important Kerney is to us," defensive back Kevin Mathis said. "We're going to prepare like they'll be ready to play this week. I honestly think they will play. They're both warriors."</p><p>Davis, a fourth-round pick last year, is the first guy off the bench at defensive end. The other options are Jonathan Babineux, also a second-year player, and Paul Carrington, an undrafted rookie.</p><p>Davis endured a tough rookie year, getting thrown into the mix before he was ready because of Smith's injury. But the former Florida State star feels much more confident about his ability to step in for Kerney or Abraham.</p><p>"I'm a little more experienced that I was last year," Davis said. "I can see things more quickly. I understand more. Going into this game, I'll be ready."</p><p>The Falcons played the opener without middle linebacker Ed Hartwell, who underwent arthroscopic surgery on both knees during the preseason and didn't even make the trip to Carolina. Mora said he'll know more about Hartwell's status later in the week.</p><p>In addition to Abraham, the other newcomers on Atlanta's revamped defense had solid games. In particular, mammoth nose guard Grady Jackson was just the sort of run stuffer the Falcons lacked last season when they surrendered more than 129 yards per game.</p><p>Carolina managed only 65 yards on the ground.</p><p>"I remember one play where Grady occupied three men," Kerney marveled. "He had a big impact in the middle."</p>

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