ATLANTA -- On a modest roll, courtesy of a two-game winning streak, the Atlanta Falcons are suddenly battered in the backfield.

Reserve tailback Travis Jervey will miss the balance of the season after an MRI exam on Monday confirmed that he tore the anterior cruciate ligament of his left knee in Sunday's shutout over the Carolina Panthers. The seventh-year veteran had just 10 carries in 2002, for 17 yards, but is regarded as the team's best special teams player and his absence will be felt in that area.

Jervey, 30, will be placed on injured reserve. The team's woes, however, don't end there.

Rookie tailback T.J. Duckett, the Falcons' first-round draft choice and top rusher among its running back corps, sustained an arch injury to his left foot and his availability for next Sunday's game at New Orleans is doubtful. In addition, standout fullback Bob Christian suffered a concussion on Sunday and his status is at best questionable.

The Falcons may be forced to sign another running back this week and the leading candidate is Maurice Smith, a three-year veteran who was released just before the start of the season. Smith signed with Green Bay last month but was quickly released.

Duckett was sporting a walking boot on Monday and, while the injury does not require surgery, his ability likely will depend on his pain threshold. The former Michigan State standout started against the Panthers, and it marked the first time he had opened a game without fellow tailback Warrick Dunn in the backfield with him. The rookie scored his first two NFL touchdowns in the 30-0 rout of the Panthers.

He has 68 carries for 273 yards and only quarterback Michael Vick, who leads Atlanta in rushing, has done better on the ground. Duckett also has six catches for 50 yards.

Although Christian is often overlooked when experts cite the top fullbacks in the league, most scouts feel he is an underrated player, and Atlanta coaches have said he is the "glue" on the offensive side of the ball. Christian actually was unconscious for a short time on the field Sunday and his condition will be closely monitored during the week.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com.