Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Roddy White will have minor surgery on his right elbow Monday but will not miss the Sept. 14 season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles, coach Dan Quinn said Sunday.
"He'll certainly be back for Week 1," Quinn said.
White has been experiencing swelling due to loose particles in his elbow. The injury flared up following Thursday's light practice. He did not play in Friday night's 30-22 preseason loss to the New York Jets.
Quinn said he believes White's surgery will be arthroscopic. An arthroscopic debridement is the normal procedure associated with White's type of injury. Such a procedure typically involves a maximum four-week recovery period.
With White sidelined, preseason standout Leonard Hankerson emerges as the No. 2 receiver behind Julio Jones going into Saturday's preseason game against the Miami Dolphins -- the game during which the starters see the most extensive action. Hankerson scored a 2-yard touchdown against the Jets and has consistently caught the ball throughout training camp. He played under Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan when both were with the Washington Redskins.
"I mean, my job is to just go out there and do whatever I can, whatever is possible, to help the team out," Hankerson said. "Whether it's making a block, whether it's special teams, whether it's catching the ball or whether it's coaching up young guys, I feel like I can bring a lot to the team. Whatever I'm called upon to do, that's what I'll do."
The 33-year-old White previously expressed a desire to play in all 16 games this season after missing two games last year with hamstring and ankle injuries. White had his left knee drained before minicamp in June, a procedure he expects to repeat midseason.
White is the franchise record holder with 10,357 receiving yards on 765 career receptions, with 62 touchdowns. He was named to the Pro Bowl four consecutive seasons from 2008 to '11.
