Falcons starting corner hurt against Lions

By D. Orlando Ledbetter

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

DETROIT — The Falcons’ defense, already trying to fit all of the pieces together, suffered a couple of blows against the Lions on Saturday.

Both starting cornerback Chris Houston (hamstring) and reserve defensive end Kroy Biermann (foot sprain) left the game and did not return.

Safety William Moore (knee) and linebacker Edmond Miles (knee) did not play against the Lions.

Houston is one of the two returning starters in the secondary. The Falcons hope that Houston, a third-year player and a second-round pick in 2007, continues to improve in his second season as a full-time starter.

Biermann was part of the defensive line rotation last season and registered two sacks.

The team said they would know more about the injuries Sunday.

Quarterback rotation

Matt Ryan started the game and played two series. He completed 5 of 7 passes for 33 yards and completed passes to four different receivers.

On the Falcons’ first third down of the game — a third-and-four from the 26 — Ryan completed his first pass to tight end Tony Gonzalez.

“When it’s third-and-five, that is usually where I think I can operate,” Gonzalez said. “But we have so many weapons on this team.”

Chris Redman took over for Ryan, and D.J. Shockley followed Redman.

Redman led the offense to a field goal during his time.

Shockley looked particularly sharp on a slant pass he drilled to wide receiver Eric Weems. Shockley drove the offense 67 yards for a 1-yard touchdown run by Jason Snelling on his first series.

John Parker Wilson entered the game with just over eight minutes to play in the fourth quarter. He completed his first pass to Verron Haynes for an 11-yard gain.

Good returns

Weems made a good decision while returning punts. He had three fair catches and a 34-yard return in the second quarter.

“The front line held up nice,” Weems said.

He had to take a little ribbing for being tackled by the punter. “Yeah, they got on me a little bit,” Weems said. “But it was still a good return.

Chandler Williams returned punts in the second half.

The Falcons are looking for a new punt-returner because Harry Douglas was loss for the season after suffering a torn knee ligament in practice Aug. 5.

‘The Burner’ ignites

Running back Michael Turner ran for a 40-yard touchdown in the first quarter and was happy to retire to the bench.

“We just want to get out there, get into game shape a little bit and get ready for the regular season,” said Turner, who finished with 63 yards on six carries.