Report: Falcons' Harry Douglas Suffers Torn ACL

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- When Harry Douglas went down at practice on Wednesday, it looked as if he and cornerback Chris Houston just got tangled up. When Douglas stayed down for five minutes, and then had to be carted off of the field, fears grew around Falcons' camp.

Now, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter via Twitter, Harry Douglas will miss the entire 2009 season with a torn ACL.

Both head coach Mike Smith and quarterback Matt Ryan told reporters Wednesday that Douglas was having a great camp up until then. But, neither would speculate on the extent of Douglas' injury. This news is as close to worst-case scenario for the Falcons as you can get.

More From Camp: Douglas an 'Integral Part' of Falcons' Plans

Without Harry Douglas and Roddy White, who's holding out from training camp, the Falcons' receiving corps is very thin.

Smith responded to the Falcons' new look receiving corps, without Douglas, "It makes some guys have to get cross-trained. We always talk about cross-training. Some young guys are going to get overloaded, basically where they were learning one position they're going to have to step up and work multiple positions. I think there will be a learning curve as far as that is concerned."

And now Atlanta will need to find a new punt returner as well. Chandler Williams, Eric Weems and Jerious Norwood were returning punts in practice Thursday morning.

"Jerious is our kickoff returner. Eric Weems I think has very, very good hands and has done a nice job catching the ball and Chandler is a guy we hope to develop." Smith said after the three fielded punts for approximately 15 minutes without bobbling one ball.

Douglas was a third-round pick from Louisville last season and played in every game in 2008. He had 23 receptions and 320 yards receiving with a touchdown. He also averaged 11.9 yards per punt return.

The first-team offense will now feature Michael Jenkins as the No. 1 receiver and Brian Finneran as the No. 2 guy. Troy Bergeron or rookie Aaron Kelly could slip into the slot role, but right now Eric Weems is the man.

When asked on Thursday if Jenkins, Finneran and Eric Weems would line up in the three receiver set on the first-team offense, "If we had to go right today that would be the rotation. Of course, there's a lot of water to go under the bridge between now and the first game."

And, of course, this depth chart conversation will instantly change when Roddy White signs and gets to camp. Or should I say if?

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