Last week, Finneran had his second reconstructive surgery on his left knee in two years and will miss the 2007 season, coach Bobby Petrino said today.

Finneran, 31, missed last season with a severe knee injury. He hurt the knee again in May while going through rehabilitation.

"He had a lot of differing (medical) opinions and decided last week to go in and get the reconstruction surgery," Petrino said. "It's a 9-to 12-month recovery period, and unfortunately that means he's out for the season."

The second major injury to the same knee could be career-threatening for Finneran, who led the team's receivers in 2005 with 60 catches and 611 yards.

The Falcons missed Finneran last year when they finished last in the NFL in passing. Two former first-round picks — Michael Jenkins and Roddy White — showed talent but couldn't provide consistent production.

The Falcons signed former New Orleans Saints star Joe Horn in March and selected receiver Laurent Robinson in the third round of the NFL draft.

The Falcons list Jenkins and Horn as starters and had Finneran on the depth chart as Jenkins' top backup.

Finneran has had success as the third receiver in three-receiver sets and has been especially effective as a short-yardage target for quarterback Michael Vick.

The loss of Finneran creates an opportunity for Robinson, Fred Gibson or Adam Jennings to win a roster spot.

"I think it affects our competition a little bit," Petrino said. "(Finneran) would have been another guy in there who really competed and lifted everybody else with his experience. We lose a lot there without his experience and knowledge of how to prepare for a game."

Finneran signed a four-year, $8 million contract in March 2006, including $3 million in guaranteed money. Four months later, he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee and suffered cartilage damage and a slight displacement of the knee cap.

Finneran injured the ligaments in the knee again while running last month.