Falcons’ Anderson has concussion

Flowery Branch — Defensive end Jamaal Anderson suffered a concussion against Philadelphia.

“He never cleared during the game,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said. “We’ll have to wait and see. Wednesday will be an opportunity to look at him. They have a protocol within the league in terms of how we make decisions on getting these guys back.”

Foxworth commendable in start

Cornerback Domonique Foxworth made his first start for the Falcons Sunday against Philadelphia and passed with flying colors.

“I think Domonique was very efficient,” Smith said. “Against the pass, I thought he was very good. I don’t think there was a completion in his area.”

Foxworth started at left cornerback for Brent Grimes, who is not fully recovered from a bruised right knee he suffered against Chicago on Oct. 12.

The Falcons coaching staff did not what to rush Foxworth, who was acquired from Denver on Sept. 2, onto the field before learned the new defense.

“I felt that I was able to make the checks and be prepared with all of the formations that they gave us,” Foxworth said. “I felt like I played extremely well. I wish I could have created a turnover or two.”

It was the most action that Foxworth has seen this season. He’d been used in spot duty and on special teams.

“I’ve been running and trying to stay in shape, but it’s different for game shape and practice shape,” Foxworth said. “The first quarter and probably the whole first half, I was extremely tired. After I got over that hump I was fine.”

The Eagles went after Foxworth on the first play of the game on a deep pass to DeSean Jackson, but he had the receiver blanketed and received help over the top from safety Erik Coleman.

“They came at me quite a few more times in the first half,” Foxworth said. “After that, they kind of stopped throwing to the outsides.”

No review for Ryan

Quarterback Matt Ryan didn’t rush home and flip on the DVR to review the phantom muffed punt that may have cost the Falcons.

“I was more concerned with how we did as an offense,” Ryan said. “I didn’t get into special teams. I haven’t looked at it.”

Ryan didn’t want to lament the missed opportunity to pull out a victory in his hometown.

“That’s just the way it goes,” Ryan said.

Smith’s review

Smith watched the phantom muffed punt as part of the regular game tape review.

“Again, it was called a muffed punt and that’s how we played,” said Smith, not wanting to draw the ire of the NFL office and face a possible fine.

Westward bound

The Falcons normally leave on Saturday for their road games, but will leave on Friday to travel to Oakland for Sunday’s game against the Raiders.

“We are going out a day earlier to try and acclimate ourselves to the West Coast time,” Smith said.

Milloy’s hit

The Falcons will be in a holding pattern on whether safety Lawyer Milloy will be fined for his jarring hit on Philadelphia tight end L.J. Smith.

“Any play is reviewable,” coach Smith said. “We’ll just have to wait and see as the week progresses, and see how they view it.”

The league normally announced fines near the end of the week.

Stopping Westbrook

Philadelphia’s Brian Westbrook turned in a spectacular performance coming off broken ribs. He rushed for a career-high 167 yards and had 42 yards receiving.

“You want to know where he is on every snap,” Smith said. “Where he’s lined up. He’s one of the premier backs. … We weren’t able to contain him throughout the game and he made some great plays.”