Chris

Owens

The Falcons’ nickel back concussed himself on a crushing special teams hit. He’s been replaced by Kelvin Hayden. RG Garrett Reynolds is also out of the game with an ankle injury. His return is officially questionable. If his night is through, it would be bad news for a Falcons team already missing C Todd McClure. Brett Romberg is currently in at right guard.

Atlanta’s nickel back will have to pass a battery of tests to play this week. Smith suggested that “feisty” CB Robert McClain may have earned a bigger role regardless of Owens’ status. “Every time he goes on the field, he makes something happen,” said Smith.

Owens, who is playing because Brent Grimes is on injured reserve, was replaced by Dominique Franks in the lineup. Owens’ return is questionable.

Owens sustained a concussion during Week 2. His nickelback spot was filled by both Dominique Franks and Robert McClain.

Brent Grimes’ season-ending injury will move Dunta Robinson out to right corner, opposite Asante Samuel. Owens, a fringe player and special teamer during his three-plus years in Atlanta, is going to get attacked in three-wide sets. His first test comes against Peyton Manning and the Broncos this week.

McFadden, Buster Skrine and Chris Owens are all competing for the No. 2 corner job opposite Joe Haden. Expect the battle to go deep into camp. The Browns have a very strong front seven, but the secondary is going to be a question mark. At 5'9/183, McFadden is a threat to get picked on via fades if he wins the job.

Owens has been playing with the first-team defense over the last three weeks and is “practicing like a man determined to take the next step in his career.” A nickel corner with the Falcons last year, Owens could be asked to start on the outside if Leon McFadden struggles in training camp.

The severity of the injury isn’t yet known, but it’s probably safe to rule him out for the rest of the game. Owens will be replaced by a combination of Robert McClain and Dominique Franks.

New Cleveland coach Rob Chudzinski knows Owens from the NFC South, but we’re skeptical the 26-year-old will help the Browns. An oft-abused (and benched) slot corner in Atlanta, Owens lost his nickel back job to Robert McClain last year. Mostly a dime back, Owens managed 22 tackles and a forced fumble.

Dunta Robinson is locked in at LCB, and will be the IDP corner to target in Atlanta. Grimes, who led the team with six picks last year, and Owens, who finished the season starting, may ultimately end up in a rotation. Brian Williams, Chevis Jackson, and rookie Dominique Franks are also competing.