Falcons might be without Crumpler, Coleman, Crocker

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Rod Coleman and Chris Crocker are unlikely to play in the season opener this weekend at Minnesota.

Four-time Pro Bowl tight end Alge Crumpler might miss his first game since December 2004.

And if those concerns weren't enough, Atlanta Falcons coach Bobby Petrino said Thursday he's is still unsure if the Falcons will sign a third quarterback by Sunday morning.

Joey Harrington and Chris Redman are 1-2 on the depth chart, but the indefinite suspension of Michael Vick and D.J. Shockley's season-ending knee injury has left Atlanta with only practice squad quarterback Casey Bramlet as an alternative.

Petrino still hasn't made a decision, but if Harrington and Redman were injured and the Falcons hadn't designated an emergency quarterback before kickoff, Petrino would use running back Warrick Dunn.

"He would be the one," Petrino said.

Not since 1992, when he was a senior at Catholic High School in Baton Rouge, has Dunn played quarterback.

"I guess you'd have to ... get a couple of shotgun snaps, teach them how to do that and draw up a little single-wing or something in case you ever had the problem where two quarterbacks went down in the same game," Petrino said. "I'm a little concerned about having to take time out to do that."

Redman, who underwent back surgery twice after playing his final game in 2003, has durability issues. But rather than worry too much about hypothetical situations, Petrino has more pressing concerns.

Regarding Crocker, the Falcons believe Jimmy Williams can fill in adequately at free safety. Unfortunately, Crumpler, a four-time Pro Bowl player, and Coleman, a 2005 selection, are essentially irreplaceable.

Since the start of '04, Crumpler leads NFL tight ends with 14.4 yards per catch. Dwayne Blakley would start if Crumpler isn't able.

Coleman's 44½ sacks are tops among the league's interior defensive linemen since the start of '03.

Petrino hopes Crumpler can return to practice on Friday, but Coleman, who had blood drained from his surgically repaired quadriceps this week, could need more time to rehab.