Wide receiver Leonard Hankerson settled into his role as a complementary target behind Julio Jones with the Atlanta Falcons, but the fifth-year pro's season has reached an abrupt end.

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Hankerson Placed on Injured Reserve

Friday, Dec. 4

The Falcons announced Friday that Hankerson was placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury to make room for Devin Hester, who was activated from the injured reserve-designated to return list.

Hankerson suffered the injury in a Week 11 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, and he was held out of the team's Week 12 game against the Minnesota Vikings.

After spending the first four years of his career with the Washington Redskins, the former third-round pick out of Miami (Florida) joined the Falcons this past offseason.

While Jones is quarterback Matt Ryan's unquestioned go-to guy, Hankerson emerged as a reliable option on the other side, producing 26 catches for 327 yards and three touchdowns in the eight games he played.

Unfortunately for Hankerson, though, he has struggled to stay healthy. In addition to a rib injury that hampered him in Week 5, Hankerson was knocked out of the Falcons' Week 7 clash with the Tennessee Titans due to a hamstring ailment that has once again manifested itself.

Replacing Hankerson's production starts with Jones; however, veteran Roddy White is still capable of contributing when given an opportunity, and tight end Jacob Tamme is sure-handed as well.

Atlanta has also developed an excellent ground game thanks to running back Devonta Freeman, which is something it hadn't been able to rely on in recent years.

In terms of who might be able to step up at wide receiver during Hankerson's potential absence, Ryan has high hopes for rookie fourth-round pick Justin Hardy, per ESPN.com's Vaughn McClure:

Hankerson is far from Atlanta's most important offensive player, but it can ill afford to lose weapons in the midst of a four-game losing streak.

The Falcons are very much in danger of missing out on the playoffs after a red-hot start, but having someone pick up the slack in Hankerson's absence could put them back on the right track.

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