Injury update: Baker’s back; Jones, Moore still out
Falcons lineman Sam Baker blocks Carolina's Charles Johnson, giving Matt Ryan time to pass. Curtis Compton / ccompton@ajc.com
By Chris Vivlamore
FLOWERY BRANCH – Falcons left tackle Sam Baker returned to practice on a limited basis Wednesday. Baker, who started the first six games this season, missed the past three games with a back injury. The team’s original diagnosis called for Baker to be out three to four weeks.
“We are going to bring him along and hopefully he’ll have more reps [Thursday] than he did [Wednesday],” coach Mike Smith said. “It’s a very good thing to get Sam back in. We are a little bit ahead of schedule.”
Baker starting working with trainers last week.
Wide receiver Julio Jones (hamstring) and safety William Moore (quadriceps) did not practice with injuries. Moore missed last week’s game against the Saints. Jones injured his right hamstring against the Saints and did not play in the second half. Both worked with trainers Wednesday.
Jones had back-to-back 100-yard receiving games against the Buccaneers (115) and the Seahawks (127) in October. He injured his left hamstring the next week against the Packers and was limited to one catch. He missed the next two games before he returned and had another 100-yard day against the Colts (131). However, he was injured again last week against after making just two catches.
“He is a very resilient guy,” Smith said of Jones. “He has not shown any signs of not being mentally strong and being able to deal with it.
“We have to make sure we make the right decision for putting a player back out on the field for a short-term goal and hurt us for a long-term goal.”
Wide receiver Harry Douglas (thigh), defensive end Ray Edwards (knee), cornerback Brent Grimes (knee), running back Antone Smith (knee) and running back Jason Snelling (hamstring) practiced on a limited basis.
Veterans John Abraham, Tony Gonzalez and Todd McClure did not practice as part of an on-going maintenance program.
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55 comments Add your comment
David
November 17th, 2011
2:22 pm
Who is this Einstein character???? Obviously he is an idiot who has not watched the same games I have JJ is a superstar in the making (and has stats to back it up ) and is a vital player on our team.I wish there was a way t exclude the casual bandwagon fans from posting on these boards
the one
November 18th, 2011
1:01 pm
Roddy needs to stop talkin and catch tha football 22 needs to b in tha game more he is a stick of dynamite waiting to explode mike is malarky with his play calling turner needs needs to b a goaline back they need to stop throwing deep on 2nd and 2 how about we play to Matt Ryan strength short passes west coast offense he is not Aaron Rodgers REST JULIO Decou let’s try playing tha ball instead of tha receiver father Abraham where r u Ray Edwards where r u Y don’t we blitz more Falcons coaching staff let’s get it together cuz I’m sick of it if I know what tha play is gonna b before tha snap I’m sure the other team does 2 LET’S GET IT TOGETHER
J-Lo
November 18th, 2011
6:31 pm
I second the motion the let MM go, and Svitek should start for whichever tackle the organization deems is the weaker of the two.
Rightrepair1
November 18th, 2011
8:45 pm
In that situation, cadence should be varied, With any more than 9 in the box, the counter is a play action fake, tight end slides past the tackle, after brush block and the QB will half roll to the TE side. the TE takes it 5 yards and faces the QB for the straight throw
Ueeediot Always
November 18th, 2011
10:49 pm
Looking for new Coaching Staff.. Please call 1-800 help thefalcons.