Corey

Peters

Peters played with the Jaguars last year, starting three games and recording 20 solo tackles as a rotational run-stop lineman. The 2010 third-round pick had a 12-year career, playing 11 of them with the Cardinals and Falcons. He had 19 sacks and was, at his peak, a pretty solid run-downs lineman.

Six months removed from tearing his patellar tendon in Week 10 last year, 33-year-old Peters is still reportedly “ahead of schedule” in his recovery. With Jordan Phillips, Rashard Lawrence, and Leki Fotu on the roster, the former AZ Walter Payton Man Of The Year won’t be asked to strain himself while attempting to get back onto the field. Peters at the very least provides veteran depth out of camp.

“We’re always looking to add talent; we know what Corey’s about,” Kingsbury said at Arizona’s voluntary OTAs. “He was tremendous for us, one of the leaders in our locker room, so we’ll see how that plays out.” Peters is four months removed from tearing his patellar tendon in Week 10 last season. He’s “ahead of schedule” in his recovery, but still a few months from working out for teams. Peters is one of the better run stoppers in the league, but his body is breaking down as a 33-year-old on a rehabbed knee with two Achilles’ surgeries. The Cardinals have Jordan Phillips, Rashard Lawrence, and Leki Fotu as nose tackle options if they don’t bring Peters back.

Peters will go on injured reserve after he was carted off in the first half of Arizona’s win over Buffalo last week. Losing Peters is another downgrade to a defense that’s already without OLB Chandler Jones and CB Robert Alford. This is a torn patellar tendon for Peters, making him not a lock to be ready for Week 1 next year. The Cardinals will turn to Josh Mauro and Angelo Blackson to replace Peters.

Peters has been out since the second preseason game. He was one of Atlanta’s weakest front seven defenders, so the absence doesn’t help Matt Forte’s matchup much. The Falcons will start gap-shooters Jon Babineaux and Peria Jerry instead.

He’s back in the nick of time with Jonathan Babineaux (torn MCL) expected to miss 3-5 weeks. Peters was a starter all last year, though he’s not exactly an impact player. Atlanta will be vulnerable to the run Sunday night against Philly.

Babineaux won’t go under the knife, but he could opt for surgery after the season. If Corey Peters (knee) can return this week, he’s a prime candidate to take Babineaux’s spot in the starting lineup. Either way, it’s a major downgrade. Babineaux is easily Atlanta’s best all-around defensive tackle, racking up 10 sacks and four forced fumbles over the past two seasons. The Falcons were expected to work out free agent DT Derek Landri Tuesday.

Peters has battled knee soreness off and on since a preseason injury. He’s still been a nice complement to Jonathan Babineaux for the majority of the season. Peters returned to action later in the second quarter.

Peters notched his third sack in four games before going down, and possibly would have stayed in the game had the Falcons not put the Colts away so early. He may miss some practice time, but should be good to go against the Saints.

Details of the injury were never revealed, but he’s been nursing the foot injury since at least late May. It sounds like a fracture. Peters, 24, broke out last season with 26 tackles and three sacks, starting 15 games. He is an integral component of Atlanta’s tough run defense, so his return will be key.