Falcons safety Thomas DeCoud has cleared the league’s concussion protocol program and fully participated in practice Thursday.
“He’ll be ready to go for the game this week,” said Falcons coach Mike Smith, as the team is set to play at San Francisco on Monday.
DeCoud, who went to the Pro Bowl last season as an alternate, had started 80 of the past 82 games before missing last week’s game against Washington. He suffered a concussion before in college.
“It’s part of the game,” DeCoud said. “It’s not anything new to me. Dust yourself off and go back out there.”
In 2012, DeCoud led Atlanta with six interceptions and ranked second in the league among safeties in that category. DeCoud’s 89 tackles was fifth on the team.
DeCoud started 13 games this season and is third on the team with 75 tackles, according to the coaches’ film review stats.
“I’m just making sure that I have a solid week of practice and that my head’s right,” DeCoud said. “I have to get back out there and start competing.”
It was tough watching as the Falcons started three rookies in the secondary and were shredded by Washington quarterback Kirk Cousins for 381 yards passing.
“It was a different experience,” DeCoud said. “It was a different perspective. It was a different way of looking at the game, kind of from that coaching perspective as opposed to being on the field.”
DeCoud, who played at Cal and is from Oakland, is looking forward to a return to the Bay Area. Also, his Grandfather, John L. Thomas, played for the 49ers from 1958 to 1967.
“It’s going to be great,” DeCoud said. “It’s going to be cool because my Grandfather played at Kezar Stadium. …and I’ll be playing in the very last game at Candlestick, so that’s pretty cool.”
Not today: The Falcons don't plan to get pushed around by the 49ers on "Monday Night Football" in front of the entire nation.
When asked about the key to the game, safety William Moore quickly said, “Be physical.”
The 49ers, who beat the Falcons 28-24 in the NFC Championship game on Jan. 30, take on that persona from their rough and tumble head coach Jim Harbaugh.
“They’re really carrying the identity of not a bully team, but a physical team that goes out and tries to punk you,” DeCoud said. “If you let them, it’s going to be a long day for you. We just have to come out and match that intensity and match that level of physicality and that attitude of ‘Not Today.’ We just have to go out there and play hard.”
The Falcons acknowledge that they might be over-matched.
“They are one of the most talented teams in this league,” DeCoud said. “Our work is cut out for us.”
Bigger Hines Ward: Falcons defensive coordinator Mike Nolan has a lot of respect for San Francisco wide receiver Anquan Boldin. When he was head coach of the 49ers, Nolan tried to acquire him from Arizona.
“He’s Hines Ward, but he’s a little bit bigger,” Nolan said. “Hines was just a fierce competitor and strong. He put the fear of God in you. Boldin does the same.”
The Falcons, who have missed tackles all season, will be challenged after the catch by Boldin and his partner Michael Crabtree.
“The two wide receivers, Boldin and Crabtree, are big, aggressive, strong and really good after the catch guys,” Nolan said. “They break a lot of tackles. We have our work cut out for us.”
Crabtree, who’s back from Achilles surgery, scored his first touchdown in the third game of his comeback last week against Tampa Bay. He had a season-high five catches for 45 yards in the 33-14 win over Tampa Bay.
Hit parade: Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan has been one of the most-hit quarterbacks this season while playing behind the revamped offensive line.
“I feel good,” Ryan said. “I really do. I feel good at this point. My body feels as healthy as it possibly can. I’ve been taking good care of myself this year. So, at this point I feel good.”
Injury report: Linebacker Sean Weatherspoon (knee), running back Antone Smith (knee) and wide receiver Darius Johnson (high ankle sprain) did not practice. Tight end Tony Gonzalez (toe) and safety Zeke Motta (hand) were limited.
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