Falconsâ€™ McClure to undergo knee surgery

Tuesday, August 30th, 2011 at 11:00 am , filed under NFL News by Andrew Pollard

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Atlanta Falcons center Todd McClure will need to undergo minor surgery on his right knee and this might miss the Sept. 11 season opener at Chicago. Falcons Coach Mike Smith said that described the surgery of McClure were a minor procedure, but McClure’s status for Opening Day is still in doubt. The 34-year-old graded out as Pro Football Focus’ No. 5 run-blocking center last season. Joe Hawley is McClure’s backup at center and may be in line for some early-year spot starts.

McClure, a seventh-round draft pick of the Falcons in 1999, he has started in 172 of 175 career games, including six in the playoffs. He was injured in Atlanta’s preseason loss Saturday at Pittsburgh. Coach Mike Smith told that after Mondayâ€™s practice, they donâ€™t know the exact timeline as Todd McClure will be coming back. He added that it was a very minor procedure and it was done this morning. Unfortunately Mike hasnâ€™t had an opportunity to talk to Todd or the doctors yet but they will be able to update the status of Todd next week.

McClure will not possible returning for the first few days those few days will be critical to McClure’s recovery. The Falcons go into the regular season knowing that one of either Garrett Reynolds or Mike Johnson will be the new starter at right guard with the departure of Harvey Dahl to St. Louis via free agency. If McClure is not ready for the opener that Hawley, a fourth-round draft pick last year who also has never started a game, could be in the spot right next to either Reynolds or Johnson.

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