NFL: Falcons S J.J. Wilcox tears ACL in first hour of first day of training camp

In the NFL, injuries happen -- too many, in fact, to feel sympathy for every victim. Nobody has an endless supply of pity. But in cases like J.J. Wilcox's, the Atlanta Falcons safety who went down with a torn ACL on Monday, compassion is irresistible.

The calamity occurred just one hour into the Falcons' first practice, which was devoid of contact. One of the sport's unsolved mysteries is how players slide through their offseason workouts injury-free, only to be felled at the dawn of training camp without colliding with a teammate.

Wilcox had recently signed a one-year deal to play for the franchise in his home state. He was viewed as Atlanta's third safety, with various projected depth charts listing him behind either free safety Ricardo Allen or strong safety Keanu Neal.

Wilcox's season is over before it even started, according to the NFL Network. A report in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution left open the possibility he was not finished for the year, pending the outcome of a second medical opinion.

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The story indicated that Wilcox was approaching a ball-carrier when his right knee gave way. Assisted off the field by two defensive teammates, he was promptly assessed by the training staff. After the practice, which was closed to media, head coach Dan Quinn did not mention the mishap.

A third-round draft pick in 2013 out of Georgia Southern, Wilcox logged four seasons with the Dallas Cowboys. They were followed by one year with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Last season was split between the Indianapolis Colts and the New York Jets, with appearances in seven games combined.

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His career stat line: 39 starts, 231 tackles, six interceptions, three fumble recoveries.

The Falcons were counting on Wilcox to help shore up a defense that ranked 28th in total yards allowed and one slot higher in passing yards yielded.

At 28, Wilcox likely is on the back nine of his pro football life. As much as his harsh stroke of bad luck hurts the Falcons, it impacts him on a far greater scale.