Lofton may get to join Falcons’ starters

Flowery Branch — Quarterback Matt Ryan might not be the only Falcons rookie getting his first start this week.

Linebacker Curtis Lofton, a second-round pick from Oklahoma, could open with the first defensive unit in Friday’s preseason game against Tennessee at the Georgia Dome. Second-year Georgia product Tony Taylor started the first two preseason games against Jacksonville and Indianapolis.

Coach Mike Smith would not confirm whether Lofton will start, but said he wanted to see how he would respond playing with the first team.

Lofton has worked almost exclusively with the second-team base defense. The big hitter is considered to be a run-stuffing linebacker who comes off the field when a nickel package (five defensive backs, two linebackers) is used in passing situations.

Left offensive tackle Sam Baker and cornerback Chevis Jackson have been the only rookies to start. Jackson might play in reserve but assume his likely role as the starting nickel back Friday. Projected starting right cornerback Chris Houston has recovered from a dislocated shoulder and is expected to make his first start of the preseason.

Rehabbing Weiner to get first action

Veteran right tackle Todd Weiner could see his first preseason action Friday. Weiner, 32, is recovering from major knee surgery that cost him most of last season. He has been brought along cautiously.

“It’s our intention to get Todd some work this week, like we got [center] Todd McClure work last week,” Smith said after practice. “We’ll get an opportunity to see that unit working together with the guys that we think possibly could be our starters.”

Tyson Clabo, who replaced Weiner last season, has worked as the starting right tackle.

Smith did not say if Weiner would start.

Hamstring could keep Irons out

Special-teams ace David Irons, a second-year cornerback, will play only if in pregame drills he looks fully recovered from a hamstring injury.

Smith said Irons, who suffered the injury in practice last week, would be a game-time decision. Irons returned to practice this week.

Robinson rising back up depth chart

Wide receiver Laurent Robinson will get into the game against Tennessee early and, most likely, often.

The second-year player missed the preseason opener because of a bruised tailbone and was not inserted until the second half of last Saturday’s game against the Colts.

A projected starter before training camp, Robinson is working his way back up the depth chart.

“We’ll see Laurent in the rotation this week,” Smith said. “We kind of eased him back into it this week. I anticipate he’ll get a lot more playing time early.”

Ryan gets big role in rookie review

In celebration of the official end of training camp — and to lighten the mood — rookie players performed for teammates and coaches in the team meeting room after practice. Ryan said one of his roles was to impersonate Smith.