Jackson, Milloy could play for Falcons Sunday

Flowery Branch — It appears that defensive tackle Grady Jackson and safety Lawyer Milloy will be available for Sunday’s game at Oakland.

Again on Thursday Jackson did not deny that he received a letter from the NFL office stating he was facing a four-game suspension for violation of the NFL drug policy.

Milloy is not likely facing a suspension for his hit on Philadelphia tight end L.J. Smith last Sunday. Smith left the game with a concussion after the hit that Milloy was penalized for unnecessary roughness. The NFL announces fines today.

When asked if there was anything new on both situations, Falcons coach Mike Smith said, “No.”

When pressed, Smith said, “I really can’t talk about that. I don’t know anything.”

Asked whether the possible loss of Jackson and Milloy was a big concern for the Falcons, Smith said “I can’t talk about that.”

The Falcons did add a big nose tackle, J’Vonne Parker, 6-foot-4, 325 pounds, to their practice squad and released defensive end Sean Conover on Wednesday. In another roster move Wednesday, tight end Jason Rader was released.

“He’s a big defensive tackle,” Smith said of Parker, who has played with Cleveland, Dallas and Baltimore. “He’s been a nose tackle in the 3-4 [formation] in his two previous stops.”

Anderson returns

Defensive end Jamaal Anderson returned to practice on Thursday. He suffered a concussion Sunday against Philadelphia and missed practice Wednesday.

“That’s a positive step,” Smith said. “Hopefully we’ll have no residual affects and he’s be ready to go (Friday).”

Good loser

Center Todd McClure lost his bet with quarterback D.J. Shockley when Georgia beat LSU last week. This week he’s had to wear Georgia clothing at practice.

“That’s a bet I made and I’ve got to live up to it,” said McClure with his red hat and gray Georgia Bulldogs T-shirt. “My baby-sitter is a big Georgia fan and she was real excited to know that I had to do this.”

The gag was a hit in the locker room.

“I kind of like seeing Todd in the Georgia red,” quarterback Matt Ryan said. “I was really hoping that I was going to see D.J. Shockley in the purple LSU jumpsuit.”

“This is terrible,” muttered McClure as he walked by Ryan. “This is very embarrassing.”

Cable fans

McClure called Tom Cable when he was named Oakland’s interim head coach after its 1-3 start. Cable coached the Falcons offensive line in 2006.

“It’s a great opportunity for him out there,” McClure said. “I think he could be a good head coach out there with the right systems.”

Cable is fond of his former players.

“Those are some really good people,” Cable said. “The two Todds (McClure and Weiner). Those are as good of men that you are going to find, I don’t care what business you’re in. Tyson Clabo is another one. Quinn Ojinnaka, that whole group had tremendous character and it was really an honor to coach those guys. I wish them well, every day but this Sunday.”

McFadden a go

Raiders running back Darren McFadden, the No. 5 pick in the 2008 draft, has been slowed by turf toe.

“He feels better,” Cable said. “Right now, everything is a go. We’ll just have to see day to day if we have any setbacks.”