Flowery Branch — Falcons starting center Todd McClure, who had been out with a back injury, took part in his first full-contact practice of training camp Wednesday.

Also, cornerback Chris Houston, who suffered a dislocated shoulder, returned to practice.

"I've been missing it, being up in the training room," McClure said. "To get back out here and sweat with the guys, move around and actually hit somebody is something that I've been waiting for."

McClure, who suffered a back injury July 28, was right in the middle of perhaps the hardest hitting practice of training camp.

"I think guys knew it was going to be our last really tough practice in training camp," McClure said. "Coach [Mike Smith] was telling us to be ready to come out and go hard. We did, set the tempo and both sides of the ball got after it."

McClure, who has a 96-game starting streak, explained how he got hurt stretching.

"I was moving a little bit," McClure said. "We were doing a bag drill. It was just odd. Something snapped. When that back goes there is nothing you can do about it. ... But I wasn't doing a whole lot when it happened."

Houston is not sure if he'll play against Indianapolis on Saturday in the Falcons' second exhibition game.

"It's like 95 percent," Houston said. "It will be right pretty soon. I dislocated it when I fell on it."

Robinson must prove himself again

Second-year wide receiver Laurent Robinson's week-long stint in the training room and off-field rehabilitation (bruised tailbone and surrounding muscles) cost him his projected starting job to Michael Jenkins.

He returned to drills last Thursday but he has to earn playing time. Robinson said he's still in some discomfort but knew he had to get back on the field because he recognized that this coaching staff doesn't concern itself too much with players not on the field.

"I have to make some plays and show them that I can still play," Robinson said. "It's eating me up. I'm trying to do everything I can to get it back."

Cooper capitalizes on second chance

Former Georgia Tech tight end George Cooper, who spent last season on the practice squad, was released in the offseason and re-signed Aug. 4 after Martrez Milner went down with an ankle injury.

In the Falcons' tight end-heavy offense, Cooper appears to have a shot at making the team. While away from the team he worked out and dropped 15 pounds.

"I feel like I have a better chance to make the team and help the team win games," Cooper said. "The offense is a good fit for a tight end."

Injury update

Defensive end John Abraham (ankle), cornerback David Irons (hamstring), center Alex Stepanovich (back) and guard Kynan Forney (knee) did not practice Wednesday.

Manning won't travel for game

Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning, sidelined by offseason knee surgery, is not expected to make the trip to Atlanta, according to the team's public-relations staff.

Defensive end Curtis Johnson, of Clark Atlanta, and linebacker Danny Verdun Wheeler, of Georgia, are on the Colts roster.