Falcons OC Steve Sarkisian on Julio Jones (calf tightness) missing practice for second consecutive day: ``I've been down this road with him now before. Julio is a pro's pro. And even though he's not on the field at practice with us today, the guy works at it. He's in meetings. He's attentive. He's asking questions. So if he's physically ready to play, which obviously remains to be seen, I have no doubt in my mind he'll be mentally prepared to play.''
Falcons WR Julio Jones (calf) wasn't on the field for the open portion of practice Thursday. He was held out of Wednesday's practice. Jones expressed no concern about the tightness in his calf coming off the last game and called it a precautionary measure that is day to day. It would be a concern, of course, if Jones is unable to practice on Friday leading into Sunday's matchup with the Saints. Asked if he's worried about the injury affecting his explosiveness, Jones responded, ``No. I'm never worried.''
Falcons WR Julio Jones expresses no concern about his calf injury.
According to ESPN Stats and Information, Sunday will mark the 20th head-to-head meeting between the Saints' Drew Brees and Falcons' Matt Ryan as starting quarterbacks. Their 19 meetings are the most in the Super Bowl era between starting quarterbacks, with Jim Kelly-Dan Marino (18) and John Elway-Dave Krieg (18) coming in 2nd. Brees leads the series 11-8.
The injured Falcons who sat out practice today were WR Julio Jones (calf), RB Devonta Freeman (knee), DE Takk McKinley (groin), and DE Derrick Shelby (groin). WR Russell Gage (knee), OG Ben Garland (calf), and LB Corey Nelson (calf) were limited. CB Isaiah Oliver (ankle) back to full.
Falcons WR Julio Jones not on the practice field for the start of practice. Dan Quinn did not indicate any injury for Jones. Jones was present walking around during open locker room.
Falcons safety Damontae Kazee apologizes for the hit on Cam Newton that led to Kazee being ejected.
From Steve Gleason's blocked punt to Deion Jones' end zone interception, this NFC South matchup does not lack for drama, storylines or bitterness.
Coach Dan Quinn talks about the Falcons-Saints rivalry ahead of Sunday's NFC South showdown.
The Falcons have lost starting left guard Andy Levitre for the season with a triceps injury, the team announced Tuesday. Wes Schweitzer will replace Levitre in the lineup Sunday against New Orleans.
Dan Quinn on Andy Levitre being placed on season-ending IR: ``After receiving the tests results on Andy's injury from Sunday's game, it has been determined that he will miss the remainder of the season with a triceps injury. Andy worked extremely hard to get back on the field after a similar injury last year, and there is no doubt his leadership will continue to be felt this year. We have a ton of respect for Andy and what he stands for, and what he means to our team.”
Falcons RB Tevin Coleman said everyone did a great job blocking and creating holes for his 100-yard day vs. Panthers. Prime example was on this outside zone play to the open side from the Falcons' 10-yard line which went for a 19-gain by Coleman. Falcons, with Coleman running strong as starter in place of Devonta Freeman (knee) and rookie Ito Smith showing his talent, currently rank sixth in the NFL after two games with average of 4.88 yards per rush. Next opponent, the Saints, allow just 3.36 yards per rush, which ranks fourth best in league. But Saints are the absolute worst in pass defense, surrendering 10.67 yards per pass play.
Skeptics insisted after Week 1 that the Falcons' offense can't get it done. But against the Panthers, Atlanta's attack showed how lethal it can be.
Takk McKinley didn't expand much on not being on the field late in the game. Appeared to be dragging his leg a little in the locker room.
Matt Ryan had more rushing touchdowns than Cam Newton. Even more important, the Atlanta quarterback got a whole lot of players involved in the offense.
Falcons get a 31-24 win over Panthers to improve to 1-1 on season. Matt Ryan leads the way completing 23 of 28 passes for 272 yards with two touchdown passes and two rushing touchdowns and passer rating of 116.1. Next up for Falcons are rival Saints (1-1) at home next Sunday.
Matt Ryan is 14 of 17 for 135 yards with 2 TDS, no interceptions, and a passer rating of 139 in the first half as Falcons lead Panthers, 17-10. Six different receivers have catches, led by Austin Hooper with four on four targets. Marvin Hall and Calvin Ridley have catches for 20-plus yards.
Falcons safety Damontae Kazee was ejected Sunday after a late hit on a sliding Cam Newton.
Falcons inactive vs. Panthers: RB Devonta Freeman, CB Isaiah Oliver, DE Steven Means, G Ben Garland, T Matt Gono, WR Russell Gage, DT Justin Zimmer.
Falcons Tevin Coleman should get the bulk of the running back load with Devonta Freeman (kne contusion) sidelined a few weeks. With Panthers today and Saints next week, Coleman's career numbers vs. the NFC South are: 108 rushes, 465 yards, 6 TDs, 21 first downs, long 55 yards, 1 fumble; 26 receptions, 31 targets, 303 receiving yards, 3 TDs, 0 drops. Look for Coleman in the screen game today to avert Panthers' rush.
Falcons running back Devonta Freeman is expected to be sidelined for two to three weeks with a knee contusion, according to a source.
Here's what Grady Jarrett told me a few days ago about the play on Nick Foles that resulted in a $20,054 fine: ``I feel like not power-driving him into the ground is fair. I feel like not intentionally hitting him in the head is fair. Form tackle, like I asked when the refs came to speak to us, I don't think that's fair to call roughing. And we've seen that happen a lot. But what are you going to do, cry about the call? That's something that we hope they take into more consideration as far as not being so quick to pull it. If they want to do that, they might as well go to two-hand touch. When we touch a quarterback, just be a sack then. You know what I'm saying? So just be fair on both ends of it.'' We'll see if any such scenarios arise Sunday vs. Cam Newton.
Falcons tight end Eric Saubert was fined $10,026 for grabbing a facemask on special teams during the Falcons' season-opening loss at Philadelphia. Saubert said he plans to appeal the fine.
Falcon's running back Tevin Coleman will get the start against the Panther after starter Devonta Freeman was ruled out because of a knee injury suffered against the Eagles in the opener.
| TEAM | W | L | T | PCT | PF | PA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tampa Bay | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 75 | 61 |
| Atlanta | 1 | 1 | 0 | .500 | 43 | 42 |
| Carolina | 1 | 1 | 0 | .500 | 40 | 39 |
| New Orleans | 1 | 1 | 0 | .500 | 61 | 66 |
| RD(PK) | PLAYER | POS | SCHOOL |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1(26) | Calvin Ridley | WR | Alabama |
| 2(26) | Isaiah Oliver | CB | Colorado |
| 3(26) | Deadrin Senat | DT | South Florida |
| 4(26) | Ito Smith | RB | Southern Miss |
| 6(20) | Russell Gage | WR | LSU |
| 6(26) | Foyesade Oluokun | S | Yale |
