The Atlanta Falcons opted not to drag out the obvious any longer and put Pro Bowl cornerback Desmond Trufant on injured reserve with a torn pectoral muscle.
Trufant is to have surgery, which typically involves 3 to 4 months of recovery.
The Falcons, at 7-4 an atop the NFC South, now have to proceed without their best defensive player on the field.
"Desmond is an awesome player; just terrific," wide receiver Mohamed Sanu said. "It definitely gives our defense a blow. But we have other players who can step up and make plays. But we're definitely going to miss him. He's a great corner. I love going against him in practice. He gets me better."
Second-year player Jalen Collins takes over the starting role with Trufant done for the season.
The Falcons signed free-agent cornerback Blidi Wreh-Wilson after placing Trufant on IR. Wreh-Wilson was a third-round draft pick of the Titans in 2013 out of Connecticut. Current Falcons scout Ruston Webster drafted Wreh-Wilson.
The Falcons also recently promoted cornerback Deji Olatoye from the practice squad.
In other roster moves, the Falcons waived punter Matt Wile, an obvious sign Matt Bosher is ready to return from a hamstring injury after missing last Sunday's 38-19 win against the Arizona. Wile performed well while handling the punting and kickoff duties.
The Falcons signed center Trevor Robinson to the active roster. Robinson, from Notre Dame, signed with Cincinnati as an undrafted player in 2012. He also spent time with San Diego. Robinson could assume the backup role behind Alex Mack, with backup center Ben Garland being utilized at defensive tackle. The Falcons need more bodies along the defensive line with Adrian Clayborn lost for a least a month with an MCL/meniscus injury.
Also, the Falcons signed offensive lineman Kevin Graf to the practice squad.
