Perennial Backup AJ McCarron Suffers Torn ACL, Leaving Falcons In Limbo At Bad Time

It wouldn't be surprising to hear Falcons coaches screaming "WTF!" in the ATL. A weekend MRI confirmed a torn ACL for backup quarterback AJ McCarron, leaving Atlanta scrambling for backup options for veteran Matt Ryan. Three weeks ahead of the season opener, Ryan and undrafted rookie Feleipe Franks are the only healthy signal callers on the roster.

"I really feel for AJ McCarron," head coach Arthur Smith said via the team's website. "Any time something like that happens, when it's non-contact, it's tough because you know how much work these guys put into it. I feel for him."

After spending the last two seasons in Houston, McCarron was signed in late April to provide insurance for starter Matt Ryan. For now at least, that job belongs to the undrafted Franks who was sacked four times and threw an interception after stepping in for McCarron on Saturday.

Prior to learning the results of McCarron's MRI, Smith left open the possibility that they'll look elsewhere to find Ryan's understudy: "You're always going to look to improve the team... we're always looking to improve the roster."

"If (McCarron's injury is) long term, sure, we'll continue to look."

Though Atlanta's surely disappointed with the lack of depth behind Ryan, they likely won't feel McCarron's absence as much as Brent Musburger.