Atlanta Falcons injury report: Abraham sits

By D. Orlando Ledbetter

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

FLOWERY BRANCH — Falcons defensive end John Abraham and safety William Moore were the only players who did not participate fully in practice Wednesday.

Abraham was listed as having a knee injury on the team’s first injury report of the season. He was limited in practice.

Moore, who underwent knee surgery last month, also has a hamstring injury.

Defensive end Chauncey Davis (foot), linebacker Tony Gilbert (hamstring), center Todd McClure (calf) and running back Jerious Norwood (knee) were listed on the injury report, but all participated fully in practice.

Abraham would be a major loss to a defense that is trying to replace five starters. He set a franchise record with 16.5 sacks last season and was named second-team All-Pro.

Williams, Hill working

The Falcons are trying to bring recently acquired cornerbacks Brian Williams and Tye Hill into the defensive operation as quickly as possible.

Safety Erik Coleman said he’s spending extra time in the meeting room and then making sure that there’s an open line of communications on the field.

“All of these guys know how to play football,” Coleman said. “They’ve played cover-one and cover-two and blitz coverage. It’s just a matter of how you play it and the communication.”

Williams has the best shot to get on the field because he played in the system the Falcons use when coach Mike Smith was the defensive coordinator in Jacksonville.

Hill has some re-training to do before a role can be identified for him.

Normally, a player might be a little jumpy when his team acquires two players at his position, but that’s not the case with starting right cornerback Chris Houston.

“I’m not feeling anything,” Houston said. “Because you always need good backup cornerbacks because it’s a very long season. Anything can happen.”

Etc.

● The Falcons’ practice-jersey sponsor for September is Piedmont Heart Institute. Each player wears a heart-shaped patch on the upper left part of his practice jersey.

● The Falcons face the Dolphins in their season opener at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Georgia Dome.