The Atlanta Falcons entered Sunday's 29-25 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers down several starters and saw a handful of others depart the field at Mercedes-Benz Stadium prematurely.
Already without starting defensive tackle David Onyemata, linebacker Nate Landman, cornerback Jeff Okudah, right tackle Kaleb McGary and center Drew Dalman, the Falcons lost left tackle Jake Matthews, right guard Chris Lindstrom and defensive tackle Kentavius Street in Sunday's game.
Onyemata, Okudah, Dalman and Lindstrom are dealing with ankle injuries, while Landman, McGary and Matthews have knee ailments. Street suffered a pectoral injury.
In essence, the Falcons' injury report, which was lengthy versus Tampa Bay, could be replicated in Sunday's road contest game against the Carolina Panthers ... but at least a few starters may be healthy enough to take the field.
Falcons coach Arthur Smith is optimistic about the status of Matthews and Lindstrom, noting they have a "real chance to play this week" in Carolina.
Lindstrom missed five snaps late in the first half against the Buccaneers after being rolled up on, with Kyle Hinton replacing him. Lindstrom said he was "fine" after the game.
Smith isn't as confident in the outlook of Onyemata, Landman, McGary, Dalman and Okudah, instead holding comments until he sees how the week unfolds. Still, there's a possibility they suit up Sunday.
The Falcons are awaiting a second opinion on Street's pectoral - he appears to be the lone player at risk of missing extended action.
"It may not be as bad as we thought," Smith said. "We'll see."
Atlanta's already without a pair of defensive starters for the rest of the season, as defensive tackle Grady Jarrett (torn ACL) and linebacker Troy Andersen (pectoral) aren't expected to return.
The Falcons also lost special teams ace Avery Williams to a torn ACL during training camp and have several other players who've spent on the roster - receiver Josh Ali, offensive lineman Matt Hennessy, defensive tackle LaCale London and outside linebacker Ade Ogundeji - currently on injured reserve.
Still, with four weeks to play, Atlanta has an opportunity to make the postseason, as it's in a three-way tie for first place in the NFC South with the Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints.
Following Sunday's loss, Smith and Lindstrom both dubbed this week's affair with the Panthers "huge" - and the Falcons would certainly like to see positive developments on the injury front by week's end.
Atlanta will return to practice Wednesday, when the first injury report comes out.
Kickoff between the Falcons (6-7) and Panthers (1-12) is set for 1 p.m. EST Sunday inside Bank of America Stadium.
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