ATLANTA -- Falcons running back T.J. Duckett is expected to
miss one game after undergoing surgery on his left knee on Tuesday.
Atlanta coach Jim Mora said the surgery to repair the meniscus
cartilage in Duckett's left knee "went very well."
"We don't expect him to miss more than just this game," said
Mora of Saturday night's home game against Carolina.
The surgery comes two days after Duckett rushed for a
team-record four touchdowns in a 35-10 victory over Oakland that
clinched the South Division title.
Duckett, bothered by persistent swelling in his left knee, had
hoped to put off the arthroscopic surgery until after the season.
Because the Falcons (10-3) clinched the playoff berth Sunday with
three games left in the regular season and could qualify for a
first-round bye in the playoffs -- giving Duckett another week to
heal -- the team decided to proceed with the surgery.
"I think it was clicking or just bothering him," Mora said.
"So, they did an MRI and it needed to be scoped. It's nothing
serious. A lot of guys play without a meniscus. I've coached
players before -- not at the running back position -- who have had it
done on Monday and played on Sunday. So, it's not a big deal."
Duckett's surgery comes one day after Mora announced that
starting fullback Justin Griffith would miss the rest of the season
due to a broken ankle.
Stanley Pritchett will become the starting fullback. On Tuesday,
the team placed Griffith on the injured reserve list and signed
Fred McCrary, cut by the New England Patriots before the season.
The Falcons signed running back Jason Wright from the practice
squad, but starter Warrick Dunn likely will receive the majority of
the carries in Saturday's home game.
Wright, a rookie from Northwestern, has been on the practice
squad since signing with the Falcons on Sept. 7.
Dunn said he has to fight the perception that he is too small to
handle a heavy workload.
"A lot of guys around the league get 20-plus carries, and they
rack up yards," Dunn said. "I think maybe because I'm not the
biggest or the heaviest guy, that sometimes is weighed a little
bit.
"I've always told people that if I get an opportunity to carry
the ball enough, I'll pick up yards."
In consecutive games late last season, Dunn had 25 carries for
178 yards against the New York Giants and 23 carries for 162 yards
against New Orleans.
"You look back on the numbers and you can say it means a lot,
but I just go out and play," Dunn said. "The more carries you
get, it helps. ... You have to be patient."
Dunn had 25 carries for 103 yards in the win over the Raiders.
Duckett added 12 carries for 65 yards, including his four touchdown
runs.
"I feel bad for T.J.," Mora said. "Obviously, you want to see
him play. I think our fans love seeing him play. So, not having
him, well miss him. ... Well just keep going. Injuries are part of
the game. You've got to play through them."
Dunn has 194 carries for 788 yards and seven touchdowns.
Quarterback Michael Vick leads the team with 821 yards rushing, and
Duckett is third with 457 yards.