Falcons close to setting special teams record

Flowery Branch — Falcons punter Michael Koenen and the coverage unit are close to setting an NFL record for fewest punt return yards allowed in a season.

The 1991 Buffalo Bills set the mark with 53 yards.

Buffalo punter Chris Mohr used great hang-time on his punts, which were covered by former special teams Pro Bowler Steve Tasker.

Koenen has punted 48 times this season and just 15 have been returned for only 26 yards, 28 yards under the record. Koenen’s punts have led to 20 fair catches, most of which were covered by Antoine Harris, who suffered a groin injury and was placed on injury reserved Tuesday.

Koenen has also placed 21 punts inside the 20-yard line and has just three touchbacks.

With Harris out, cornerback David Irons will likely fill his role.

The Falcons punt coverage unit will be tested on Sunday by Tampa Bay’s Clifton Smith. He was the top punt returner coming out of college last season with a 17.1 career average at Fresno State.

Smith made the Bucs practice squad after being an undrafted free agent. He was moved to the roster after seven weeks. He had a 70-yard punt return for a touchdown against Detroit and took back a kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown against Kansas City. Smith had a team-record 259 return yards against Kansas City.

“He’s not an overly fast guy, but boy is he a football player,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said. “He does a nice job in their return game. He’s an integral part of the rest of their special teams and return unit.”

Injury update

Defensive end John Abraham, the Falcons’ sack leader with 12.5, missed his second day of practice on Thursday.

“We just rested Abe again today,” Smith said. “But he should be ready to go.”

Abraham’s thigh was tight and he also has a shoulder injury.

Defensive tackle Grady Jackson (knee) and wide receiver Laurent Robinson (hamstring) did not practice.