Skip to main content

Alex Mack will play, not expecting any limitations

Fear not, Falcons fans. The nerve center of your offensive line will start Sunday night against the Patriots.

Center Alex Mack (fractured leg) will be business-as-usual for opening kickoff despite a painful injury sustained two weeks ago against the Green Bay Packers. NFL Network's Tiffany Blackmon Tweeted the following update on Sunday:

Added NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport: "Nothing has changed regarding Alex Mack's status. He will play and does not expect any limitations. He has a slight fracture in his fibula which is why he was listed a fibula. It is painful, he'll get a shot but he will play."

Rapoport also noted that Mack will be re-evaluated after the game as to whether he'll need surgery this offseason. Under normal circumstances, this injury would sideline a player for at least a few weeks, but with only the most important game in the sport remaining, Mack has little choice. Doctors will not know the full extent of the damage until a post-game evaluation takes place.

Mack, 31, was elected to his fourth Pro Bowl this season. In 2014, he suffered a broken fibula and missed the remaining 11 games of the season. It was the only season in his career that he had missed a start.