The Atlanta Falcons lost starting cornerback Mike Hughes to an ankle injury Thursday night during their game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers , forcing him to the locker room and leaving him questionable to return, reports said.

Hughes limped off after a tackle late in the first half and did not immediately rejoin the sideline, a gut-punch to a secondary that has leaned on him for stability this season. The loss tightened an already-thin defensive-back rotation and handed more snaps to younger options behind A.J. Terrell.

The Buccaneers carried a 7-0 lead when the injury occurred, and Atlanta’s defensive plan suffered an obvious blow; the Falcons had prepared for a matchup that required press coverage and contested throws downfield. Coach Raheem Morris said the team would evaluat

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