FALCONS REPORT: Horn gets hurt in warmups

Disgruntled veteran wide receiver Joe Horn appeared to aggravate a right hamstring injury in warmups before the Falcons’ exhibition game with Indianapolis on Saturday.

Horn has missed much of training camp and the preseason opener against Jacksonville with hamstring discomfort. He said this week the injury was minor and that he was well enough to practice, which he did at the end of the week.

Horn, who was in full uniform, began to limp after running patterns in pre-game drills. He came back on the field in black shorts and a black shirt —- attire worn by injured players —- shortly after player introductions.

Horn has expressed a desire to be traded or cut. There has been little interest regarding a trade, and the Falcons don’t want to cut him now because his $2.5 million base salary is guaranteed.

Houston sits out

Despite practicing this week after dislocating his left shoulder early in training camp, projected starting right cornerback Chris Houston was held out for the second game in a row. Rookie Chevis Jackson started in his place.

Other Falcons players out with injuries: CB David Irons (hamstring), LB Isaac Brown, DE John Abraham (ankle), C Alex Stepanovich (back) and TE Martrez Milner (ankle).

Boley injured

Outside linebacker Michael Boley injured his lower back making a tackle in the second quarter. Boley required on-field attention but eventually jogged to the sideline with five minutes left in the first half. He did not return to the game.

Offensive lineman Quinn Ojinnaka injured his right knee in the third quarter. He walked off under his own power but did not return.

Punt muffed

Adam Jennings, in competition for a roster spot, didn’t help his chances when he muffed a punt in the second quarter. The Colts recovered at the 15-yard line but failed to score.

Bad penalties

The Falcons halved the number of penalties they committed in the preseason opener (from 10 to five), but coach Mike Smith was not pleased at the types of penalties.

“We had two unsportsmanlike penalties,” Smith said. “That’s not the way we’re going to do business. You can’t give people free yards, especially when they’re silly penalties.”

Wide receiver Roddy White was flagged for an unsportsmanlike infraction during Kelvin Hayden’s 67-yard interception return. Defensive back Glenn Sharpe also was cited for unsportsmanlike conduct.