5 things to know about the Falcons on Friday

Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter

Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter

1. Practice. The Falcons will hold practice at 11:15 a.m. today.

2. Injury report. Falcons defensive end Dwight Freeney (thigh) returned to practice on Thursday. Tight end Jacob Tamme (shoulder), running back Tevin Coleman (hamstring) and cornerback Desmond Trufant (shoulder) did not practice. Coach Dan Quinn said Tamme was 'likely out" for the game.

3. Sack police.  The Falcons were notified by the league that defensive tackle Grady Jarrett's first sack against Tampa Bay was a tackle. Because Tampa Bay quarterback Jameis Winston was scrambling, the league deemed that the play had turned into a running play. So, officially, the Falcons now have 20 sacks on the season, which is tied for 11th in the NFL.

4. Can offense improve? The Falcons have the best offense in the NFL. They are efficient, explosive, versatile and at times nearly unstoppable. Yet when coach Dan Quinn, offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan and players say the offense can be better, they aren't just guarding against complacency. As many eye-popping numbers as the Falcons have produced on offense, they really haven't reached their full potential.

5. Fires force practice indoors. Smoke from the fires burning in North Georgia prompted the Falcons to move their Thursday practice to their indoor facility. "I didn't know what really was going on," Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan said after the practice. "I thought they were joking about the smoke, then when I got outside I realized it wasn't a joke. I was glad we went inside. It felt healthier."

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