The Atlanta Falcons opted not to drag out the obvious any longer by placing Pro Bowl cornerback Desmond Trufant on injured reserve with a torn pectoral muscle.
Trufant is set to undergo surgery. Such a procedure typically involves 3 to 4 months of recovery.
The Falcons, at 7-4 an atop the NFC South, now have to proceed without their best defensive player on the field.
``Desmond is an awesome player; just terrific,'' wide receiver Mohamed Sanu said. ``It definitely gives our defense a blow. But we have other players who can step up and make plays.