Flowery Branch — Falcons safety Jimmy Williams, a second-round draft pick in 2006 who has yet to break into the starting lineup, elected not to attend the second day of the team's optional minicamp practice Tuesday.

"Jimmy was not here today and, of course, these [practices] are optional," Falcons coach Mike Smith said. "This is not a mandatory one."

Smith said the staff was aware that Williams would not attend. He was the only player under contract not in attendance. Calls to Williams' cellphone were not returned.

Williams played cornerback as a rookie. Last season, he was moved to safety and lost out to Chris Crocker for the starting free safety job.

Erik Coleman, a free-agent signee, lined up beside Lawyer Milloy at free safety with the No. 1 unit Tuesday.

Last season, Williams was moved to special teams, but after playing poorly, was inactive for two December games.

Draft prospects watch practice

Draft prospect Jeff Otah, a 6-foot-6, 322-pound offensive tackle from Pittsburgh, and Arkansas safety Tyrell Johnson attended practice. Otah is considered one of the top tackles in the draft behind Michigan's Jake Long. Johnson, 6-0, 207, is the No. 1-rated strong safety in the draft by NFLDraftScout.com.

Kansas cornerback Aqib Talib is scheduled to visit later this week.

Lewis hopes for quick return

Promising defensive tackle Trey Lewis, who reinjured his surgically repaired left knee walking down stairs at his home, is hoping to return by the end of training camp.

"I'm hoping and praying that I can get back out here this year," Lewis said. "All I can do is rehab. Hopefully, late camp or right after camp. This probably set it back a month or two after the second surgery."

Weems catches coaches' eye

Wide receiver Eric Weems, who spent most of last season on the practice squad, made a spectacular catch during drills.

"We ran him on an out-and-up, and the ball was out in front of him," receivers coach Terry Robiskie said. "He dove out there and made an excellent catch. He's very quick and explosive off the ball. He's doing some good stuff."

Wide receivers not a weakness

The wide receivers, once considered a sore spot, now look like a team strength with the development of Roddy White and Laurent Robinson and with veterans Joe Horn and Michael Jenkins. The group could receive a boost from Brian Finneran's return from injury.

Robiskie has pushed them hard and kept them for an extra session after practice. "You've got to test them, see what they know and what they don't know," Robiskie said. "It was good for me to get out with them and see how few mental mistakes they make. They picked it up pretty good. We threw everything at them and got them rolling."