Falcons Cornerback Grimes Tears Achilles Tendon

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) – The Atlanta Falcons have lost cornerback Brent Grimes to a season-ending Achilles tendon injury.

Grimes went out in the fourth quarter of Atlanta’s 40-24 win at Kansas City in the season opener. Coach Mike Smith announced Monday the cornerback will need surgery, costing Atlanta one of its best defensive backs.

Grimes was a Pro Bowler in the 2010 season and got the franchise tag this past offseason when he couldn’t agree on a new contract, receiving a salary of $10.2 million.

The Falcons traded for Asante Samuel, looking to have a trio of top coverage cornerbacks in the pass-happy NFC South. Samuel, Grimes and Dunta Robinson started against the Chiefs and were on the field together for all but 11 plays.

The new arrangement lasted one game.