The Falcons are rapidly running out of wide receivers.
But they’re thinking about using a developing tight end talent alongside a future Hall-of-Famer to give themselves some options.
With Julio Jones out for the year and Roddy White seemingly coming up with something on a weekly basis, the Falcons are struggling for pass-catchers as they self-scout over their bye week.
One option seems to be using rookie tight end Levine Toilolo in tandem with Tony Gonzalez. The 6-foot-8 fourth-round pick has impressed coaches so far, so they’re working on ways to get him the ball.
“I think he’s coming along like we anticipated,” coach Mike Smith said of Toilolo, via Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com. “I think he’s going to be a very good threat, especially in the red zone.
“But, yes, [more two-tight-end sets] would be an option for us as well.”
Gonzalez has been as productive as you’d expect, while Toilolo is still learning, having put a dropped touchdown against the Patriots behind him with a pair of scores.
Of course, if the Falcons are going to go two-tight end, it would also help if running back Steven Jackson was well and giving them some balance in the run game. But at a time when they’re scrambling for answers, it might be the kind of thing to give them a spark.