Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan returned to practice field on Wednesday as Atlanta prepare for its upcoming matchup with NFC South rival, the New Orleans Saints (7-1).
Ryan suffered an ankle sprain in the 37-10 loss to the Los Angeles Rams back on Oct. 20 and was unable to play a week later against the Seahawks. Prior to 27-20 loss to Seattle, Ryan hadn't missed a game since 2009.
Falcons coach Dan Quinn said Ryan would be limited to start the week. Ryan is taking a day-to-day approach in his return.
"You just try and focus on daily improvement and trying to get back to yourself as fast as possible, but I'm feeling pretty good," Ryan said.
The Falcons (1-7) will certainly need Ryan to be at his best to try and secure their second win of the season.
New Orleans is also coming off their bye week and is a team playing with a lot of confidence. The Saints are giving up 19.5 points per game with one of the league's top run defenses.
Not only are they playing well against the run, they are getting to opponents' quarterbacks. The Saints have registered 24 sacks on the year with eight coming from Cam Jordan.
"They are playing good team defense across the board," Ryan said. "They've been doing a great job with that all year. It's going to be a challenge for us."
Ryan said the focus of the week must remain solely on securing a win this weekend and nothing else.
"We've got to focus on taking care of our business and being the type of football team we can be," Ryan said. "We have not been in the first half of the season. This is a good opportunity for us with the break to come out and hopefully play a better brand of football."
In order for the Falcons to accomplish that, Ryan says it starts with the right focus and execution.
"We've got to find a way to get it done," Ryan said.
Quarterback Matt Ryan was back at practice in a limited capacity on Wednesday. Take a look at his workout and more in this gallery, presented by Quikrete.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan #2 walks during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan #2 in action during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan #2 hands the ball off to running back Devonta Freeman #24 during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Coach Raheem Morris talks to Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan #2 during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan #2 looks on during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones #11 warms up during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo #7 looks on during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Kendall Sheffield #20 in action during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Brandon Powell #15 in action during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Brian Hill #23 takes off his helmet during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons strong safety Damontae Kazee #27 in action during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Brandon Powell #15 makes a catch during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Devin Gray #19 stretches during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Russell Gage #83 makes a catch during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones #11 makes a catch during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman #24 in action during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Kendall Sheffield #20 looks on during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman #24 in action during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman #24 in action with coach Bernie Parmalee during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus #17 makes a catch during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Kenjon Barner #38 in action with coach Bernie Parmalee during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Coach Ben Steele runs during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Qadree Ollison #30 in action during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons long snapper Josh Harris #47 warms up during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Kendall Sheffield #20 looks on during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Blidi Wreh-Wilson #33 stretches during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones #11 warms up during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Brandon Powell #15 runs during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo #7 looks on during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons punter Ryan Allen #9 in action during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Kendall Sheffield #20 walks next to defensive back Jordan Miller #28 during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Blidi Wreh-Wilson #33 in action during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Christian Blake #13 in action during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Christian Blake #13 looks on during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Christian Blake #13 in action during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Russell Gage #83 in action during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons strong safety Damontae Kazee #27 looks on during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Desmond Trufant #21 looks on during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
The team huddle breaks during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo #7 looks on during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
A detailed view of a helmet during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley #18 looks on during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Coach Raheem Morris talks to head coach Dan Quinn during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley #18 fixes his hair during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons strong safety Damontae Kazee #27 runs a drill during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Christian Blake #13 warms up during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons strong safety Damontae Kazee #27 looks on during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Isaiah Oliver #26 looks on during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
