Falcons rookie Baker leaves game with head injury

Tampa — Falcons starting left tackle Sam Baker suffered a blow to the head in the second quarter and did not return to the game on Sunday. Baker, the second of the Falcons first round picks in 2008, was instrumental in the run game in the season opening victory over Detroit.

“He just got his bell rung and the doctors just felt like it was in his best interests and our best interests for him to come out,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said. “We’ll evaluate that as the week goes on.”

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Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

On the last play of the first quarter, Falcons defensive end John Abraham is upended as he is unable to get to Buccaneers quarterback Brian Griese.

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Baker was replaced in the lineup by veteran Todd Weiner.

Also, running back Michael Turner had his leg in a bucket of ice after the game. He suffered an ankle injury, but did not know when it occurred.

Jackson late scratch

Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jackson, one of the Falcons top run defenders, was a surprise inactive when his knee swelled up early Sunday.

“At about 3 a.m. this morning, his knee blew up,” Smith said. “When we woke up this morning, it was a game time decision that we had to make. We took a look at it. It was unexpected.”

Jason Jefferson, who was acquired on waivers from Buffalo on Aug. 31, started for Jackson. Jefferson was inactive for the season opener by against Detroit.

Jefferson finished with three tackles and recovered a fumble in the fourth quarter off a sack by John Abraham.

“It was a good feeling to contribute,” Jefferson said.

Other players inactive for the game were safety Jamaal Fudge, cornerback David Irons, linebacker Tony Gilbert, center Alex Stepanovich, tackle Quinn Ojinnaka and tight end Martrez Milner.

D.J. Shockley was listed as the No. 3 quarterback.

Abraham flipped

On the last play of the first quarter, Abraham leaped high to block a Brian Griese pass attempt. While in the air, Tampa Bay running back Earnest Graham blocked Abraham’s legs and he flipped violently to the ground.

Abraham, who had three sacks in the opener, continued to play. He stayed in the game and came up with a fourth quarter sack and strip of Griese.

Penalties hurt

After getting behind 17-0, the Falcons appeared to have good field position as Jerious Norwood returned the kickoff to the 31 yard line. But backup running back Jason Snelling was called for an illegal block and they had to start the drive on the 11 yard line.

In the first half the Falcons started their drives from the 23-, 20-, 18-, 22-, 11-, 13- and 23-yard line.

The start of two other drives in the second half was hurt by special teams penalties on Brent Grimes (holding) and Thomas DeCoud (block in the back).

“The special teams penalties are not just 5-yard penalties,” Smith said. “They are tack on penalties. It can change the field position immensely.”