Flowery Branch — Alex Stepanovich, the Falcons' backup center, suffered a back injury at practice Monday and was taken off the field on a cart.

Stepanovich started the exhibition season opener against Jacksonville Saturday in place of center Todd McClure, who has been out with a lower-back injury since July 28.

"Stepanovich twisted his back out there on the field," Falcons coach Mike Smith said.

Ben Wilkerson finished practice at center.

Stepanovich, signed in the offseason as a free agent from Cincinnati, is a former starter at guard and center in the NFL. The Falcons are hoping he can provide depth at the interior line positions.

McClure, who has a 96-game starting streak, was working out with the team's training staff. "Todd, I think this morning, was out there running around," Smith said. "He hasn't had a chance to work out."

In other injury news, defensive end John Abraham did not practice Monday after spraining his right ankle against Jacksonville.

"I don't think it's going to be a long time that he's going to be out," Smith said.

The Falcons made a roster move Monday, waiving tight end Brad Listorti.

Physical enough

Smith was most impressed with the Falcons' physical play in the 20-17 loss to Jacksonville.

"I thought we matched their physicality," he said. "Especially in the first half, I thought we went toe-to-toe with those guys."

Rookie linebacker Curtis Lofton and cornerback Chevis Jackson caught Smith's eye. Lofton is playing behind Tony Taylor at middle linebacker while he learns the defense.

The Falcons had some issues that Smith would like to get resolved, like the 10 penalties, stopping the run and scoring off turnovers.

"There were entirely too many penalties," Smith said. "Seven of them were procedural penalties. You're going to kill yourself when you put yourself in first-and-15 or third-and-long."

QB pick Thursday

Smith said he will announce the starting quarterback Thursday for the second exhibition game against Indianapolis. "We're going to give everybody the opportunity to play with the first team," he said.

Snelling impresses

How motivated is Jason Snelling to win the No. 3 tailback job behind starter Michael Turner and backup Jerious Norwood? Put it this way, he's a little hungry.

"I lost 10 pounds this offseason," the 229-pound Snelling said.

Snelling lost the weight so he can solely focus on playing tailback. As a rookie in 2007, he also worked at fullback.

Snelling and rookie Thomas Brown are battling for the No. 3 job and each has flashed throughout training camp. Snelling's 47-yard screen pass that set up a third-quarter touchdown was a highlight Saturday.

"Jason Snelling did some good things, not only running the ball," Smith said. "He averaged eight yards per carry and it was a great catch and run on that screen pass. He made a guy miss [at the line] and made a guy miss in the secondary."

As for the competition, "I know they've got two good backs in Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood," Snelling said. "I'm able to do different things that they can use. I'm also able to play special teams and, when the opportunity presents itself, perform as a running back."

Ryan keeps TD ball

Quarterback Matt Ryan scooped up the ball he threw to Roddy White for his first career NFL touchdown pass.

"I saw Roddy drop the ball and I figured that I'd pick it up, grab it and save it," Ryan said. "It's a good one to have."

— Staff writer Steve Wyche contributed to this article.