FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Atlanta Falcons coach Jim Mora believes quarterback Michael Vick and defensive end John Abraham will start Sunday against the Carolina Panthers even though both players have significant injuries.
Abraham underwent surgery Monday to have a pin placed in his left thumb after he tore ligaments in a loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Mora said Abraham will wear a cast and start against Carolina.
Vick, who limped off the field with a groin injury on the Falcons' final possession Saturday night, continues to undergo treatment. Matt Schaub will start if Vick can't.
"Our guys are resilient," Mora said. "They bounce back. They get refocused. I am excited to get back to work on Wednesday."
Atlanta (7-7) has lost three straight home games for the first time since Dan Reeves' final season in 2003. The Panthers (6-8) dropped their fourth consecutive game last week with an embarrassing performance against Pittsburgh.
Neither team has played well in NFC games. In their last seven matchups with conference opponents, the Falcons have four losses and Carolina five.
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| Mike Vick's Falcons are tied with the Giants for the last wild-card spot. (AP) |
Vick improved his career record to 6-2 against the Panthers by completing 10 of 22 passes for 140 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran seven times for 48 yards.
Abraham earned his first NFC defensive player of the week honor with five solo tackles, two sacks for minus-20 yards, two forced fumbles and a pass breakup. Unfortunately, he strained a groin muscle late in the fourth quarter and played just one of the next eight games -- a stretch during which he had abdominal surgery.
Mora is encouraged that rookie Jerious Norwood, who didn't dress against the Cowboys because of a knee injury, will play against the Panthers. Norwood, the No. 2 running back behind starter Warrick Dunn, has a 6.5 average in 84 carries.
"We took him out before the game and worked him out, but he just wasn't confident in his knee," Mora said.
Carolina has injury concerns, too. Starting quarterback Jake Delhomme told reporters Monday that he still can't grip a football because of ligament damage in his right thumb. The Panthers are 0-2 with Chris Weinke at quarterback.
Starting defensive end Mike Rucker tore a knee ligament against the Steelers and will not return until next season.
Atlanta visits Philadelphia in Week 17. The Eagles won at New York on Sunday to take a one-game lead over the Giants for the first of two wild-card spots. The Falcons have the same record as New York, but the Giants have the tiebreaker after beating Atlanta earlier this year.
"There are so many playoff scenarios that are confusing, but Dallas, Philadelphia, the Giants and us basically vying for three spots, so it's going to come down to the very end," Mora said. "If we do that you never know what will happen, and you never know what will happen if you end up getting in the tournament. So that will be our focus."
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