FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons say rookie defensive tackle Peria Jerry is out for the season after injuring his right knee in a victory over the Carolina Panthers.

Jerry, the team’s first-round pick out of Mississippi, went down in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 28-20 victory. Coach Mike Smith said the rookie will be placed on injured reserve.
The Falcons are thin along the defensive line, so the loss of Jerry is especially damaging. Thomas Johnson will likely take over Jerry’s spot in the lineup alongside Jonathan Babineaux. Atlanta also has Trey Lewis, who missed all of 2008 with a knee injury and has yet to play this season, along with seventh-round pick Vance Walker.
Walker was signed off the practice squad to replace Jerry.