ATLANTA -- Atlanta Falcons starting safety Erik Harris needs season-ending surgery to repair a torn pectoral muscle, a source told ESPN on Monday.
Harris suffered the injury on the first drive of Sunday's 29-21 victory over the Carolina Panthers -- he appeared in six plays -- and was replaced by Jaylinn Hawkins.
Harris, 31, started 12 games for Atlanta this season after signing a one-year deal this past offseason. He had put up some of the best numbers of his career for the Falcons, including tying a career-high with eight passes defended.