The Falcons again are turning to Joe Hawley to help stabilize an offensive line that is reeling because of injuries and poor performance.
Hawley is set to start at center against New Orleans on Thursday night after he took over for Peter Konz at Tampa Bay on Sunday. It was the latest shuffling for a line that lost tackles Mike Johnson and Sam Baker to season-ending injuries and saw Konz move to right guard in place of Garrett Reynolds against Tampa Bay — only to have Reynolds replace Konz once he struggled.
For Hawley, the scenario is similar to the 2011 season. He started three games at center that season when Todd McClure was out with a back injury and then nine regular-season games and a playoff game at right guard after Reynolds was benched.
“Since I’ve been here I’ve definitely gotten a lot better,” he said. “It was in my second year when I got my chance at center, (my knowledge) wasn’t nearly what it is now. I know a lot more about protections and stuff. I feel like we didn’t miss a beat (Sunday).”
The Falcons selected Hawley in the fourth round of the 2010 draft out of UNLV. He played six games in 2012, when he was suspended four games violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy. He has played as the tight end in the Falcons’ “jumbo” package this season.
The Falcons have used five different combinations of players on the offensive line since training camp.
“One of the big things with O-line is continuity,” Falcons offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter said. “We haven’t been able to have that this year, and that’s unfortunate. I think we have different guys at different levels and as an offensive unit, not just the O-line, we are not performing to the standard we need to win football games in the NFL.”
Injury report: Falcons coach Mike Smith said Wednesday that tight end Tony Gonzalez (toe) and reserve quarterback Dominique Davis (knee) were on track to play against the Saints.
Gonzalez played against the Buccaneers on Sunday after he was injured in the previous game. Smith said Gonzalez’s practice workload increased this week.
Davis left the Buccaneers game after taking a low hit from Tampa Bay’s Gerald McCoy, who was penalized for roughing the passer.
“I told Dom after the game you can tell your grandkids someday you completed a pass to Tony Gonzalez and you got ‘cheap-shotted’ by one of the best defensive tackles in the same game,” Koetter said. “I say that tongue-in-cheek. McCoy is a heck of a player.”
With Davis’ status uncertain, the Falcons worked out quarterbacks Mike Kafka and Trent Edwards on Tuesday.
Falcons defensive end Mallicah Goodman (calf) is out. He also didn’t play against Tampa Bay because of the injury.
