Falcons Training Camp: Calais Campbell OUT; Who Steps Up?

Calais Campbell isn't practicing with the Atlanta Falcons yet as he heals from injury.

The Atlanta Falcons are relatively healthy at the start of training camp ... but there's one exception to the rule.

Veteran defensive end Calais Campbell is on the Non-Football Injury (NFI) List and won't be available for the start of training camp, opening the door for other players to get an opportunity. 

The first to step in? Joe Gaziano.

After three seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers, Gaziano has only had one start, but he’s played in 21 games, and reports have come out from camp that indicate he could be in store for a more prominent role this season in Atlanta.

“With Calais Campbell on NFI, Joe Gaziano did get some first-team work on the defensive line, but it was a lot of mixing-and-matching alongside expected stalwarts Grady Jarrett and David Onyemata. The defensive line is going to likely be a fluid situation throughout training camp but also even into the season.” ESPN's Mike Rothstein tweeted after attending training camp.

Gaziano has only had four quarterback hits and 22 combined tackles through three seasons. The odds that he secures a starting spot on the roster are low, but the fact that he was the next man up indicates the Falcons may have gotten a steal by signing the former undrafted free agent.

After finishing dead last in sacks last season, few would have predicted that Gaziano could move the needle forward following a lackluster start to his career. However, the fact that he managed to pass Ta Ouon Graham (who started nine games last season) for the leading reserve spot when camp kicked off is impressive.

As camp continues, Atlanta’s defensive line will be a position group to monitor, especially since the offense is loaded with playmakers and the secondary has multiple All-Pro caliber players. If the line can simply be a middle-of-the-pack NFL unit, the Falcons fly higher than most pre-season pundits are anticipating.

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