FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – The Falcons will be without their top cornerback Desmond Trufant on Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings. Trufant suffered a concussion against the Buccaneers last week and was unable to practice all week as he remains in the league's concussion protocol.
Head coach Dan Quinn did not say who would start in place of Trufant, but did say cornerback Brian Poole is ready to go as he's been dealing with a back injury. Poole typically plays the nickel cornerback role for the Falcons but has the skills to play outside.
C.J. Goodwin is another player who could fill in for Trufant, as he did last Sunday against the Buccaneers. Quinn likes the speed Goodwin possesses on the outside.
The Falcons' secondary will be tested on Sunday trying to slow down Minnesota's receiving corps. Wide receivers Adam Thielen who has 70 receptions for 1,005 yards and three touchdowns and Stefon Diggs (40 receptions for 598 yards and five touchdowns) are both having strong seasons for the 9-2 Vikings.
A 1 p.m. ET kickoff is scheduled for the Vikings-Falcons game on Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. For how to watch the game on TV or online, check here.
