The Falcons are set to face rookie Denver quarterback Paxton Lynch, who will be making his first NFL start, at 4:05 p.m. at Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium, according to Denver's channel 9New s.

Lynch, a first-round pick from Memphis, will replace Trevor Siemian, who suffered a left shoulder sprain in the second quarter of 27-7 victory over Tampa Bay last Sunday.

Lynch, who some considered the most athletic quarterback in the draft over No. 1 pick Jared Goff (Rams) and No. 2 Carson Wentz (Eagles), came on and completed 14 of 24 passes for 170 yards and a touchdown. He was the 26th overall pick in the draft.

The Falcons prepared for both quarterbacks, but on Friday were convinced that they would see Lynch.

“I know that Paxton Lynch did some running in college and they like to run him a little bit,” Falcons linebacker LaRoy Reynolds said. “We’ll see if that’s what they want to do. We know it’s part of their game plan.”

Siemian is not expected to be active. Veteran Austin Davis will serve as the backup.

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Falcons defensive end John Abraham terrorized quarterbacks for 15 seasons and had 133.5 sacks, earning him a chance at the Hall of Fame. (File/AJC 2008)

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(Photo Illustration: Philip Robibero | Sources: Hyosub Shin for the AJC, Unsplash)

Credit: Philip Robibero / AJC