Rookie offensive tackle Jake Matthews was still sidelined by an ankle injury Wednesday as the Falcons took the practice field for their first preparations for Cincinnati. Matthews did not participate Wednesday and wide receiver Roddy White was limited with a knee injury.
Matthews injured his ankle during the first half of Sunday's 37-34 overtime win over the Saints and did not return to the game. Backup Gabe Carimi took over and went the rest of the way at the left tackle position Sunday.
Carimi said earlier Wednesday that, before Sunday, he hadnt played left tackle since the January 2011 Senior Bowl.
"Unfortunately for us, with the injury to Jake, in the second half there (Carimi) had to play the left tackle position. I thought he did a nice job," Smith said after Wednesday's practice. "He'll get a lot more snaps this week at the left tackle position and he'll be prepared to even play better, and I thought he played well last week. We protected our quarterback well."
