Atlanta Falcons

Falcons lose Ishmael to season-ending shoulder surgery

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 6:43 p.m. ET

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) The Atlanta Falcons have lost another defender with safety Kemal Ishmael getting placed on injured reserve.

Coach Dan Quinn said Friday that Ishamel has played much of the season with an aching shoulder and decided this week to undergo season-ending surgery.

The Falcons (8-5) host San Francisco (1-12) on Sunday and will be without All-Pro receiver Julio Jones for the second game because of a sprained toe. Wideout Mohamed Sanu returned to practice Friday after missing last week's win over the Los Angeles Rams because of a groin injury.

Quinn indicated Sanu should be ready to start.

Receiver J.D. McKissic, signed as an undrafted free agent from Arkansas State in May, will be promoted from the practice squad to take Ishmael's place on the 53-man roster.

Ishmael has started 19 of 49 career games. He left the Rams game with a knee injury and did not return.

Quinn said he will be particularly missed on special teams.

''He took it as far as you can,'' Quinn said. ''When he got to where he couldn't keep going - and he still wanted to, which tells you the kind of competitor he is - it was best to have that fixed.''

Atlanta already lost its best defensive player, cornerback Desmond Trufant, to season-ending shoulder surgery two weeks ago, and veteran linebacker Sean Weatherspoon was finished after rupturing his Achilles in Week 4.

Defensive tackle Adrian Clayborn will miss his third straight game with a knee injury. Cornerback Jalen Colins is out with an aching knee. Safety Robenson Therezie won't play because of a sore ankle, and receiver Nick Williams is sidelined with a concussion.

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