LB injuries behind Graziani's release

SportsLine.com Report
Sept. 6, 2000

Injuries at linebacker put No. 2 quarterback Tony Graziani out of work Wednesday.

The Falcons were forced to make a roster move before signing Chris Bordano, who joins Jeff Kelly as the only healthy backup linebacker. Mark Simoneau will be placed on the inactive list for the second consecutive week with a groin pull.

Chris Draft, who injured a hamstring in the season-opening win over San Francisco last week, will also be sidelined.

Coach Dan Reeves said he didn't want to waive a hard worker like Graziani, but there was no other option.

Graziani, despite a good preseason and a productive spring in NFL Europe, has a career 51.39 quarterback rating. In starting five of the 18 games he played the last three seasons for Atlanta, Graziani threw eight interceptions and two touchdowns.

"It's a difficult situation," Reeves said. "We have to have a linebacker. Eventually we were going to have to make a decision with the quarterbacks."

Graziani's exit vaulted undrafted rookie Doug Johnson into the top backup spot, a considerable responsibility when you consider the injury history of starter Chris Chandler. Johnson took every snap with the No. 2 offense Wednesday as normal No. 2 QB Danny Kanell continues to deal with a finger injury.