AP

What was supposed to be one of the competitions to watch in Falcons camp might not be much of one early.

Falcons coach Mike Smith announced Saturday, via the team’s official website, that middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu suffered a pectoral injury while working out Thursday.

“At this point, we do not know the extent of the injury, but we expect to have more information early next week,” Smith said.

The Falcons were expected to choose between Tatupu and Akeem Dent to fill the middle linebacker job vacated when Curtis Lofton went to New Orleans.

Tatupu, a former All-Pro with the Seahawks, was out of football last year, and was thought to be over the injury issues that plagued the end of his Seahawks run. The Falcons open training camp next Thursday.

(UPDATE: 12:15 p.m.) The Atlanta Journal Constitution’s terming it a “serious” injury, saying Tatupu will miss the start of camp, and will see a specialist to determine the severity of the injury.