Brooks Reed Injury: Falcons starting linebacker will miss Eagles game

Atlanta Falcons linebacker Brooks Reed will miss six weeks after having surgery on a groin injury, according to NFL media's Ian Rapoport. This news is significant because the Philadelphia Eagles open their 2015 NFL regular season in Atlanta against the Falcons on Monday, Sept. 14.

Here's the reaction from over at SB Nation's Atlanta Falcons blog, The Falcoholic:

"The "tough blow" is absolutely an understatement. The Falcons have been soft in the middle of their defense for years, and losing Reed will not help. I would expect Kroy Biermann to become the new SAM linebacker until Reed is ready to play, likely until after Reed comes off of the short-term PUP list. Whatever your opinion on the two players, that is a downgrade in athleticism."

The Falcons signed Reed, formerly of the Houston Texans, earlier this offseason to a 5-year contract worth $22.5 million with $6.9 million guaranteed. He was expected to be an upgrade on Atlanta's weak defense. The Falcons finished the 2014 season with the lowest ranked overall defense by Football Outsiders.