Jonathan

Babineaux

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.

Losing Abraham against the Packers’ elite offense would be a huge blow for a Falcons’ pass rush that has tallied just five sacks through its first four games. With DT Jonathan Babineaux (knee) also questionable, Atlanta might not have the horses to slow down Aaron Rodgers.

Slot receiver Harry Douglas is active just one week after suffering a concussion. Peria Jerry will spell Babineaux, who is expected to miss 3-to-5 weeks with a partially torn MCL. Joe Hawley will start in McClure’s place.

Babineaux’s return could provide a very big lift for an Atlanta defense that doesn’t have a sack in its last three games. Babineaux is a difference-making pass rusher on the interior. Nicholas is stout in run defense and excels in coverage. These have been big missing pieces over the past few weeks.

The number ranked him second among all defensive tackles in the category, behind Bills two-time Pro Bowler Kyle Williams. Pro Football Focus graded Babineaux out as its No. 35 defensive tackle, mainly because he struggles against the run. The 31-year-old has one year left on his contract at $4.7 million. Atlanta needs to find a run-stuffer to pair with Babineaux on the interior.

Babineaux has been a diamond in the Falcons rocky defense this season, recording seven tackles for a loss and two fumble recoveries while grading out as a top-15 interior run stuffer per Pro Football Focus. The problem is that contract talks will be complicated by his age (32) and salary demands (he’s making $4.7M in 2013). The Falcons could choose to go younger at defensive tackle by re-signing fellow impending free agents Corey Peters and Peria Jerry.

“He’s becoming a little bit ageless,” quipped Dimitroff. “It would be nice to have him back.” Although Babineaux managed one sack among 16 starts in 2013, he graded out as one of Atlanta’s top run stuffers per Pro Football Focus, and has spent his entire career as a Falcon. At age 32, his price should be reasonable.

Babineaux has already expressed a desire to re-sign. Hawley is viewed as one of the Falcons’ top priorities. Peters is coming off a torn Achilles’ and is facing another 4-6 months of rehab. None of the three should be expensive to retain, but the Falcons need to seek upgrades on both lines. They need players who can get to the quarterback and ones that can protect Matt Ryan.

Babineaux has been with Atlanta throughout his nine-year career. He’s not a pass rusher, but remains an asset against the run and has piled up 15 tackles for a loss over the last two seasons. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution suggests a “modest” two- or three-year contract.

The No. 59 overall pick of the 2005 draft, Babineaux has been with the Falcons for his entire career. A starter from 2008-14, Babineaux has been more of a role player the past two years. He’ll hunt for work as a situational run stopper. 2017 will be Babineaux’s age-36 season.