FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Atlanta Falcons coach Dan Quinn said Monday that starting tight end Jacob Tamme will miss Thursday night's game against Tampa Bay with a shoulder injury. Tamme was injured in the first quarter of Atlanta's 33-32 win over Green Bay on Sunday, immediately after making a 13-yard catch near the sideline.
With Tamme injured, the Falcons will turn to rookie third-round draft pick Austin Hooper as the primary tight end. Levine Toilolo would be the backup, with the possibility of rookie Joshua Perkins being active for the first time this season as the third tight end. Hooper had a career-high five catches (41 yards) in the win over the Packers.
Tamme was the team's leading receiver early in the season. Through eight games, he is fourth on the team with 22 catches for 210 yards and three touchdowns.
In other injury news, Quinn said top receiver Julio Jones had his knee checked out Monday but is fine and good to go against the Buccaneers. Jones was hobbled throughout Sunday's game and finished with just three catches for 29 yards.
Quinn said he'll take it up game day with running back Tevin Coleman, who missed the last game with a hamstring strain, and pass-rusher Dwight Freeney, who played through a torn quad. Neither player practiced Monday in preparation for the short turnaround.
