FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- After entering the NFL's concussion protocol after the Falcons' 34-23 win against the Green Bay Packers, starting right tackle Ryan Schraeder will be inactive for Atlanta's matchup with the Detroit Lions (2-0), Falcons coach Dan Quinn announced Friday.
In his stead, Ty Sambrailo will make his first start for the Falcons.
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"I saw a faster speed (from Sambrailo)," Quinn said after Friday's practice. "I'm sure that comes with more confidence in the plan, more reps with the first group, more reps with Matt (Ryan). I felt like his quickness off the ball, that's definitely a part of his game in the run game. I thought he had a nice week in terms of his preparation. You could feel the communication up and down the line, the combination blocks with the tight ends, the combination blocks with the guards. That's a big part of what we do in the run game.
"He's really done a good job. It kind of reminds me of years ago, when Andy (Levitre) came in and really put the work in to get ready. I felt the same way with Ty. He came in late, he really fit in well with the group right away."
Schraeder left the Falcons' game against the Packers after the team's opening touchdown drive. With Sambrailo in the lineup, Atlanta ran for 114 yards. Sambrailo said earlier this week that the Falcons' approach in practice has helped him prepare for this opportunity.
"The way we practice here is full-speed game reps every rep," Sambrailo said. "So, going into last week, I knew if I had to go in, I was ready. Unfortunately, Ryan (Schraeder) got knocked out, and I had to step up and going in and play and I felt confident and ready just because of the way we prepare and the way we practice."
The Falcons acquired Sambrailo from the Denver Broncos just before the official roster cutdown deadline this preseason. Atlanta sent a fifth-round pick to Denver for Sambrailo, who was selected in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft and started four games at right tackle last season for the Broncos.
"I have the utmost confidence in Ty, he's a good player," starting left tackle Jake Matthews said this week. "He's only been here for a couple of weeks, but he's definitely on top of everything. I think he'll do a good job." Quinn also announced three other players who would be inactive for Sunday’s game. Linebacker Vic Beasley is out with a hamstring injury; defensive lineman Courtney Upshaw is out with an ankle/knee injury and running back Terron Ward will be held out with a neck/shoulder injury.
