A fourth-year player from Georgia, Atkins signed a five-year, $55 contract extension Sept. 2. He recorded his team-high sixth sack Thursday night prior to the injury.
Defensive tackle Brandon Thompson, a second-year player from Clemson, received the bulk of the playing time after Atkins went down. Defensive tackle Devon Still, a second-year player from Penn State, also is a candidate to assume the starting role once he recovers from an elbow injury that has kept him out of the last two games.
Lewis said Still is progressing well and on his way back.
Thompson has 21 tackles and 1.5 sacks this season. Still has five tackles.
Rookie defensive end Margus Hunt, active for just the third game this season, also took some snaps at tackle Thursday night.
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