Mathis injures knee, out for Sunday's game

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. - Atlanta Falcons cornerback Kevin Mathis, who was kicked out of the season opener against Philadelphia after a scuffle in pregame warmups, won't be playing this week, either.

Mathis injured his left knee in practice Wednesday, and the Falcons fear it could be serious. He was on crutches in the locker room and being sent for an MRI exam.

"It's at least a sprain," coach Jim Mora said. "It locked up on him. He'll have to be evaluated further before I can tell anything more than that. It's not good."

Mathis started 12 games in 2004 and figured to be used extensively in passing situations this season, providing depth at cornerback behind starters DeAngelo Hall and Jason Webster.

But Mathis got ejected from Monday night's game about a half-hour before it started. He traded punches during warmups with Philadelphia star Jeremiah Trotter, leading the officials to kick out both players.

After watching the Falcons' 14-10 victory from home, Mathis rejoined his teammates to begin practicing for Sunday's game at Seattle. On an innocent-looking play down the sideline, he went up to knock away a pass and came down awkwardly.

"I didn't think it was that serious," Mora said.

Mathis was taken off the field on a cart to be examined by team doctors, who determined it was a potentially serious injury.

Mora said he hasn't considered what the Falcons would do if they have to put Mathis on injured reserve. Atlanta made it through the first game without any problems, keeping Terrell Owens out of the end zone.

The Falcons went into the season carrying five cornerbacks, including return specialist Allen Rossum and rookie Leigh Torrence. They don't have any cornerbacks on their practice squad.

In another potential blow to the team's secondary depth, Rossum was shaken up toward the end of practice, apparently tweaking his hamstring. He was listed as questionable for Sunday.

Pro Bowl linebacker Keith Brooking (foot) and first-round pick Roddy White (ankle) were held out of practice, but Mora said they would play against the Seahawks (0-1).

Mathis and Trotter are expected to get hefty fines from the NFL, with an announcement likely to be made Thursday. Hall said he's also been told to expect a fine for snatching a Philadelphia player's helmet and throwing it to the turf during the scuffle.

"I did get informed that they're going to be fined," Mora said. "The league has an image to protect. I thought the officials did a really good job of defusing what could have been a pretty intense situation. Unfortunately, two good players did not get to play an important game."