Falcons’ Baker making progress on return

Atlanta Falcons left tackle Sam Baker is coming up on four weeks since his Oct. 30 surgery for a herniated disc and taking on more responsibilities in his rehabilitation and now in practice.

“He’s ramping up in terms of what he’s been able to do not only in the training room and his rehabilitation in the weight room but also out in the field,” said Falcons head coach Mike Smith, who doesn’t expect Baker back in action just yet. “I can’t really put a timeline on it. It probably would be optimistic to think he’s going to be ready to go this week.”

Recovery from such a surgery typically takes eight to 10 weeks, with the best cases coming in at six weeks. The six-week mark for Baker would leave him a shot at playing the final three regular-season games against Tampa Bay, Minnesota and St. Louis.

Baker was the Falcons second pick in last April’s NFL draft.