NFL set to hear Jackson’s appeal

Flowery Branch — Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jackson, who was suspended four games by the NFL, will have appeals heard later this week, according to his agent, Angelo Wright.

Jackson has played in the last three games since getting notice of his suspension for taking a diuretic that the league deems to be a masking agent under its steroids testing policy.

Jackson can keep playing until his appeal is heard and a decision is rendered.

Jackson filed a class-action lawsuit on Nov. 10 against the manufacturer of StarCaps diet pills, the supplement he claims caused the drug suspension.

Baker out for Carolina

The Falcons have ramped up left tackle Sam Baker’s rehab, but he’s will not be ready for this week’s game against Carolina.

“I would say no, that he would be out this week,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said Monday.

Ryan express

Rookie quarterback Matt Ryan has thrown five of his six interceptions and just two of his 11 touchdown passes in the Falcons’ four losses.

On Sunday against Denver, Ryan did not have a touchdown pass for the third time this season. He also didn’t throw touchdown passes in losses to Tampa Bay and Carolina.

Abraham makes no excuses

Defensive end John Abraham was playing with a neck and shoulder injury and did not get a sack against Denver.

Abraham suffered a stinger against New Orleans and was listed on the injury report with a neck injury last week.

“If I’m on the field, I’m 100 percent,” Abraham said. “That’s part of the game. You play when you hurt. If you are out there, you’ve got to play.”

Killer instinct

Abraham was still angry about Denver’s 83-yard touchdown drive, which produced the game-winning points.

“Our defense is better than that,” Abraham said. “We just gave up too much.”

He felt the defense let the offense down.

“We put too much pressure on them to win the game,” Abraham said. “We should have won the game. They scored enough points for us to win the game. We should have applied the pressure more. We just have to get that killer instinct. We have to finish people off.”

Ryan defends White

Ryan came to the defense of wide receiver Roddy White, who was harsh on himself for dropping a potential touchdown pass against Denver.

“With all that he’s done this year, nobody should be beating themselves up,” Ryan said. “He’s made some unbelievable plays this year and has done a great job for us. … He has certainly been one of the best wide receivers in the league.”

Miller active

With defensive tackle Kindal Moorehead inactive with foot injury, Brandon Miller, the former University of Georgia standout, was active for Sunday’s game.

It was his first game on the active roster after being elevated from the practice squad last week.

“We had Brandon Miller up and available although he didn’t participate in the game yesterday,” Smith said. “But I will say that Brandon has done some nice things with the opportunities that have come his way out there on the practice field.”