Atlanta Falcons starting free safety Damontae Kazee has a torn Achilles tendon and will miss the remainder of the season, a source tells ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
Kazee suffered the injury in the second quarter of Monday night’s loss to the Green Bay Packers and was carted off the field. He fell to the ground, grabbing the back of his left leg, and was in obvious pain while being checked by the training staff.
Falcons coach Dan Quinn and team owner Arthur Blank consoled Kazee, who is in the last year of his contract, after the game. Quinn told reporters that Kazee, who was replaced by Sharrod Neasman, had a “serious injury.”
The Falcons entered the game already down two safeties with Keanu Neal sidelined by a hamstring injury and Ricardo Allen out with a hyperextended elbow. The Falcons started Kazee and rookie Jaylinn Hawkins at the safety spots. Hawkins also left the game with a concussion, and Jamal Carter played the second half in his place.
Atlanta also entered the night missing starting cornerback A.J. Terrell, who remains on the reserve/COVID-19 list, and veteran corner Darqueze Dennard, who is on injured reserve with a hamstring injury.
ESPN’s Vaughn McClure contributed to this report.
