FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – Falcons head coach Dan Quinn provided good news following the team's final practice before heading out West for their playoff game against the Rams: Atlanta is in good shape injury-wise.
"From an injury standpoint, guys came through well," Quinn said. "Had a good week, and we can't wait to get rolling."
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The Falcons began the week with running back Devonta Freeman (knee), wide receiver Julio Jones (ankle/ribs) and kick/punt returner Andre Roberts (knee/ankle) all listed as non-participants on the official injury report. On Thursday, all three of those players practiced in a limited capacity, and the final practice injury report did not list anybody as a non-participant.
"He really put the work in this week, in terms of getting back and getting ready," Quinn said of Freeman. "Yesterday, I kind of had a sense it was going to be trending good for us. And then today, when you see him cut full speed, make long stuff, turning – no limitations at all. So, I was really pleased to see that. He's a real factor in what we do."
There are five players who were designated as "limited" for the Falcons' Thursday practice, including Freeman, Jones and Roberts. The two players who were also limited in practice were center Alex Mack (calf) and tight end Levine Toilolo (knee).
Notably, the Falcons will be without starting left guard Andy Levitre, who was placed on injured reserve earlier this week due to a lingering triceps injury. Ben Garland will start for the Falcons in place of Levitre on Saturday. "We've played him at tight end, we've played him at guard, right guard, left guard, center," Quinn said of Garland. "So as a ballplayer, he's somebody that we really rely on. It's his quickness off the ball that sets him apart. He can really climb and sustain on the second level."
