FALCONS REPORT: Left tackle Baker to miss Denver game

Flowery Branch —- Falcons left tackle Sam Baker, who had back surgery nearly two weeks ago, will not be ready to play this week against Denver.

“He will continue to rehab, and I think over the next seven to 10 days we’ll have a better idea of how that rehab is going,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said Monday. “As we mentioned earlier, he’s very limited in terms of what he is doing in terms of his rehabilitation.”

There were no serious injuries in Sunday’s game against New Orleans. However, defensive end John Abraham left the field a couple of times after getting kicked in the head and suffering a stinger in his left shoulder.

“John got knocked around a couple of times, but I think there is not going to be any issue,” Smith said.

Clock management

The Falcons played keep-away from the Saints in the third quarter Sunday.

“We went in at halftime and felt like we had to control the clock in the third quarter,” Smith said. “I thought it was very dominant performance by our offense.

“We controlled the clock for approximately 12 minutes —- I think 11:36 —- and the defense held the Saints in that third quarter to 22 yards of offense.”

No sacks on Ryan

The offensive line didn’t give up a sack of quarterback Matt Ryan for the fourth game this season.

After giving up 47 sacks last season, the unit has allowed 12 sacks this season. They are on pace to give up 21 sacks, more than a 50 percent reduction.

Foxworth ready

Cornerback Domonique Foxworth was acquired from Denver before the start of the season. He’s set to face his old team this week and is coming off his best game of the season.

“By our coaches stats, he had five PBUs [pass breakups],” Smith said.

“Domonique is by far our fastest defensive back. … He’s had two solid games since he stepped in as a starter.”

Placekicker Jason Elam will face his old team after playing 15 seasons with the Broncos. He signed with the Falcons as a free agent this summer.

Denver kicker Matt Prater will also get the face the Falcons. Prater was waived by the Falcons last season after missing two field goals in week 2. Prater’s failure caused the Falcons to bring Morten Andersen out of retirement.

Victory Monday

Smith gave the players Monday off for the win over the Saints, but some of them came to work anyway.

“On a day off we had 40 of our players in today,” Smith said. “Again, I think that speaks volumes of where our football team is to have 40 to come in and work out on a day off.”