Falcons Rookie DB Clark Phillips Carted Off in Joint Practice vs. Dolphins

The Atlanta Falcons' injury woes in the secondary continued Tuesday during the team's joint practice with the Miami Dolphins.

Less than a week after losing starting cornerback Jeff Okudah to an ankle injury, the Atlanta Falcons are left facing more uncertainty in the secondary.

Rookie cornerback Clark Phillips III, one of the Falcons' biggest standouts throughout training camp, was carted off the field on Tuesday with what appeared to be an ankle or leg injury near the end of Atlanta's joint practice with the Miami Dolphins.

Phillips got up from the ground and was assisted to the cart, where he was met with a fist bump from All-Pro corner A.J. Terrell.

After practice, Falcons coach Arthur Smith met with reporters and revealed that Phillips was kicked in the lower body; the team is awaiting X-Ray results, but Smith was encouraged by the fact that Phillips was able to get up.

"We'll see," Smith concluded.

Phillips, drafted in the fourth round after winning Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year at Utah last season, was in the mix to start at nickel corner entering camp and has been praised by Smith for his instincts and splash plays this summer.

Should Phillips miss extended time, Dee Alford's hold on the nickel position will only grow stronger, while Mike Hughes suddenly becomes a very valuable piece both in the slot and on the outside.

The same sentiment is true for Darren Hall, who's had a nice camp and brings plenty of experience inside and out. Elsewhere, a long-term injury for Phillips would open up another roster spot at cornerback, with Cornell Armstrong the favorite to claim it.

But ideally, Phillips will rebound and be back on the field sooner rather than later, setting his sights on continuing the strong build-up towards his rookie season.

You can follow Daniel Flick on Twitter @ByDanielFlick

Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Falcons? Click Here.

Follow Falcon Report on Twitter.

Want even more Atlanta Falcons news? Check out the Si.com team page here