The Atlanta Falcons will begin practice on Wednesday with some key players not participating fully. In a press conference on Wednesday, Falcons coach Arthur Smith announced that starting quarterback Taylor Heinicke will be limited as he recovers from a left ankle injury. Smith stated earlier this week that Heinicke will most likely follow a similar strategy to last week, when he was limited on Wednesday and Thursday, full on Friday, and off the injury report by Sunday. Heinicke’s ankle ailment flared up again in the fourth quarter of Atlanta’s 37-17 loss to the Chicago Bears on Sunday; he claimed his foot was stepped on after his final throw, and he was replaced by backup Desmond Ridder for Atlanta’s final two drives.
In other news, the Falcons will be without center Drew Dalman in Wednesday’s practice due to an ankle injury. Dalman started the opening 48 plays of the game last Sunday before leaving with an ankle injury; backup Ryan Neuzil took over at center. Atlanta also has two more starters who are questionable due to injuries: safety DeMarco Hellams and nickel corner Mike Hughes. If Hellams and Hughes are unable to play this week, they will most likely be replaced by the two players who have previously taken their starting spots – safety Richie Grant and nickel Dee Alford. With the NFC South championship still up for grabs, the Falcons (7-9) travel to New Orleans for a road game against the Saints (8-8) on Sunday. Atlanta can win the division and end its six-year postseason drought with a win and a loss by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-8) to the Carolina Panthers (2-14).
But the Falcons must first take care of their own business, which they would be better placed to do with as healthy a squad as possible. The game between Atlanta and New Orleans will begin at 1 p.m. EST on Sunday inside Caesars Superdome.
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