The Panthers won’t have to worry about Falcons linebacker Sean Weatherspoon or running back Jacquizz Rodgers spoiling their attempt at winning the NFC South.
Atlanta announced that both players have been ruled out for the regular season finale, leaving the Falcons shorthanded as they try to play spoiler. Weatherspoon missed last week’s game with a knee injury and did not practice at all this week, making his absence from the lineup fairly unsurprising.
That marks the end of a frustrating year for Weatherspoon. He spent eight weeks on injured reserve after injuring his foot and will end they year having played in just seven games thanks to this knee injury.
Rodgers suffered a concussion against the 49ers last week and also did not practice at all this week. The diminutive back ran for 333 yards this season and added another 341 yards as a receiver. He’s under contract for the 2014 season and should be back to at least compete for a complementary role in the backfield.