FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — Sean Weatherspoon doesn’t just want to be an indispensable player for the Atlanta Falcons.
He wants to become an elite NFL linebacker — but he needs to stay healthy.
As the No. 19 overall draft pick of 2010, Weatherspoon looked like he was on track in his first few months with the Falcons, earning a starting job at strongside linebacker, recording his first career sack in Week 2 and contributing regularly on special teams.
But ankle and knee injuries caused him to miss five games and parts of two others before he returned for a Week 11 win at St. Louis.
During the NFL lockout, Weatherspoon regularly participated in conditioning workouts and in 7-on-7 field sessions near the Falcons’ practice complex. He says the hard work has paid off.
