Falcons lose MLB Hartwell for season

Updated: October 10, 2005, 1:25 PM ET

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By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com
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ATLANTA -- Starting middle linebacker Ed Hartwell, who suffered a right Achilles tendon injury during Sunday's loss here to the New England Patriots, underwent early Monday surgery, and will miss the rest of the season.

Edgerton Hartwell

Linebacker
Atlanta Falcons

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2005 SEASON STATISTICS
Tot	Ast	Solo	FF	Sack	Int
22	16	6	0	0	0

The loss of Hartwell, the team's highest profile veteran acquisition during the offseason, will force a shuffle in the Atlanta linebacker corps. The player who probably would have replaced Hartwell in the lineup, rookie Jordan Beck, is on injured reserve with a broken foot suffered in the preseason.

"We'll miss [Hartwell's] presence," coach Jim Mora said.

Veteran Ike Reese, who is normally a strongside linebacker, played the middle spot after Hartwell left Sunday's game in the third quarter. The versatile Reese has played middle linebacker in spot situations in the past, but lacks bulk, and could have problems holding up physically over the course of the season. Four-time Pro Bowl weakside linebacker Keith Brooking played in the middle for three seasons, 2001-2003, and averaged 195.3 tackles at the position in those years.

Mora said he will consult with players, primarily Reese and Brooking, before deciding how to replace Hartwell in the middle.

Regardless of how Falcons coaches address the absence of Hartwell, it will entail some shuffling of the linebacker corps. It will probably also force the Falcons to add another linebacker to the roster and the team on Monday was considering its options. Rookie Michael Boley, who has been a special teams standout, probably will have his playing time increased, no matter how things shake out.

Hartwell, 27, was injured late in the third quarter, limped to the sideline with the aid of trainers, and then slumped to the turf when he reached the Atlanta bench. He returned to the sideline later in the game in a walking boot and on crutches.

The Falcons signed Hartwell as an unrestricted free agent in March after he had played the first four seasons of his career with the Baltimore Ravens. Regarded as a very strong defender against the run, Hartwell has been a bit of a disappointment in his five starts for the Falcons, totaling just 30 tackles and one pass defensed. Touted as a player capable of staying on the field on third down, he was rarely used in "nickel" situations.

His six-year, $26.25 million contract included $8 million in bonuses.

Mora indicated that cornerback Chris Cash, who had played well in a "nickel" role after being signed just three weeks ago, will miss the rest of the season as well after suffering a broken right forearm in Sunday's loss.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com. To check out Len's chat archive, click here .