Bradie

Ewing

Ewing will provide insurance for (or perhaps replace) veteran FB Ovie Mughelli, who is in the final year of his contract and ended last season on injured reserve with a torn MCL. A ferocious blocker, Ewing was also a core special teamer for the Badgers. He won’t stray far from his collegiate roles for the Dirty Birds.

Ewing cleared lanes for Heisman finalist Montee Ball at Wisconsin and will be the Falcons’ new starting lead blocker. Mughelli is owed a $3 million base salary at age 32, and missed most of last season with a torn right MCL.

The Ewing pick made Ovie Mughelli expendable in Atlanta, also saving the club considerable cap room. Ewing cleared lanes for Heisman finalist Montee Ball at Wisconsin. The 6-foot, 239-pound fullback also impressed with a 36 1/2-inch vertical and 10-foot broad jump at February’s Scouting Combine.

An athletic lead blocker and fifth-round draft pick out of Wisconsin, Ewing was being counted on to replace Ovie Mughelli as a battering ram in front of Michael Turner. Ewing’s loss could throw a bit of a wrench into Atlanta’s power run-blocking plans. Backup Mike Cox isn’t going to be nearly as effective.

The Journal-Constitution is already suggesting that Ewing could be lost for the season. The Wisconsin product was battling Mike Cox for the right to replace departed Ovie Mughelli as Michael Turner’s lead blocker.

The fifth-round rookie suffered the injury in Thursday’s preseason opener. A battering ram of a blocker and core special teamer for the University of Wisconsin, the 6-0, 239 pound Ewing was going to serve as Michael Turner’s lead blocker. Ewing won’t be assured of a roster spot in 2013.

Ewing tore the ACL in Atlanta’s preseason opener. “He’s way ahead of schedule,” said Smith. “I think he’s probably better now than he was when he got here in terms of his strength.” Ewing projects as Steven Jackson’s lead blocker in 2013. Ewing is also athletic enough to be a passing-game asset.

Ewing caught a 14-yard pass out of the backfield and was slammed to the turf on his shoulder. He’s the lone fullback on the roster.

Ewing is the only fullback on the Falcons’ roster, so they’ll have to make a move. The 2012 fifth-rounder missed his entire rookie season with a torn ACL. With just two career appearances to his name and a lengthening injury history, Ewing will need a strong camp to make the roster in 2014.

Ewing appeared in no games for the Jags last year. They now have no fullback on the roster.