After missing all practices earlier in the week, Falcons wide receiver Roddy White returned Friday in time for the home opener against the upstart St. Louis Rams at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Georgia Dome.
White, who said he suffered a high ankle sprain in an exhibition game against Baltimore on Aug. 15, has started 129 consecutive regular-season games for the Falcons and is listed as questionble for Sunday’s game. He caught two passes for 19 yards and basically was used as a decoy against the Saints.
“That’s a tough guy, man,” wide receiver Harry Douglas said. “That’s a blessing for me to have a guy like that in my group. Was he sore? Yeah, he was probably sore. The normal person would have probably not played the game, but that says a lot about him, and that’s why I love him so much.”
Left tackle Sam Baker (knee) and defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux (knee) also practiced for the first time this week and were listed as questionable on the NFL-mandated injury report.
Linebacker Sean Weatherspoon (knee) and cornerback Asante Samuel (thigh) were limited in practice for the second consecutive day and listed as questionable.
Free safety Thomas DeCoud (knee), defensive tackle Peria Jerry (knee) and defensive end/tackle Cliff Matthews (knee) fully participated in practice for the second consecutive day.
For the Rams, defensive end Chris Long (hip) didn’t practice after being limited Thursday. He’s listed as questionable.
Tight end Cory Harkey (knee) fully participated in practice and was listed as probable.
Running back Daryl Richardson (foot) fully participated in practice after being limited Thursday. He was listed as probable.
Cornerback Quinton Pointer (thigh) and safety Darian Stewart (thigh) did not practice. Pointer was declared out of the game, while Stewart was listed as doubtful.
Quinn, Long tactics: Falcons running back Steven Jackson was teammates with Long and defensive end Robert Quinn last season, when the pair helped the Rams tie for the league lead in sacks (52).
Quinn was named the NFC’s defensive player of the week after a dominating three-sack performance against Arizona in the season opener.
“They do a really good job of using their hands,” Jackson said. “They work on combative hand-fighting a lot.”
Ogletree shining: Former Georgia standout Alec Ogletree led the Rams in tackles with seven in his NFL debut last week.
“They wouldn’t have picked Ogletree with their first pick if they didn’t have high hopes for him,” Falcons offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter said. “He’s a rookie starting in the NFL, and there is going to be sort of a learning curve, but it looks like he got off to a good start last week as well.”
Etc.: The game features the top three picks of 2008 NFL draft: St. Louis offensive tackle Jake Long (No. 1 by Miami), Chris Long (No. 2) and Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (No. 3). … The Rams are 6-1-1 when quarterback Sam Bradford has a passer rating of 100 or better. … When Ryan starts and has 100-plus passer rating, the Falcons are 32-1 (.970). … Rams tight end Jared Cook (North Gwinnett High) had seven catches for 141 yards (20.1 per catch average) and a career-high two touchdowns last week. … Since 2007 (including playoffs), White has 599 receptions, most in the NFC. … Since 2011, Falcons free safety Thomas DeCoud has 10 interceptions, tied for the most in the NFL by a safety.
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