Falcons head coach Mike Smith not using injuries as an excuse

The injury bug took a gigantic bite out of the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday afternoon, with center Joe Hawley, guard Justin Blalock, right tackle Lamar Holmes, and safety William Moore exiting the game early on during the team's 41-28 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

The offensive line was so thinned out that tight end Levine Toilolo was forced to play right tackle during the second half.

“I have never played tackle,” Toilolo said following the game, via The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “I was kind of like just moving your assignments down a spot. Obviously, the coaches tried to help out as best as they could. Jon did a great job of communicating with me on the field.

“When I was off the field, the coaches were working with me and telling me what looks to expect and things like that.”

Despite injuries playing a huge part in the Falcons' downfall, head coach Mike Smith wasn't about to use the depleted lineup as an excuse.

“We had a lot of injuries,” Smith said. “It was the first time that I’ve been in a game where you had four offensive linemen that could go in and play.

“That’s not an excuse. Guys are going to get injured. That happens in every football game. That happens throughout the NFL every week. You have to have the next man up mentality. You can not concern yourself with injures.”