FLOWERY BRANCH — Former Georgia Tech wide receiver Kevin Cone, who’s been on the Falcons’ practice squad all season, was added to the 53-man roster Wednesday.
Also, linebacker Robert James was added to the active roster. The Falcons had room after placing linebacker Mike Peterson (torn tricep) and cornerback Kelvin Hayden (dislocated toe/turf toe) on injured reserve.
The Falcons also added linebacker Matt Hansen to the practice squad. He played strong safety while he was with the team in training camp, but he was a linebacker at Rhode Island.
Cone was late to football. He didn’t start playing until his junior year at St. Pius. He started his college career at Shorter before transferring to Tech.
He also played basketball and ran track in high school.
Cone is probably the only wide receiver with just five catches during his senior season in college who is on an NFL roster. He drew raves for his blocking in Tech’s vaunted triple-option attack.
Injury report
Tight end Reggie Kelly, who took a vicious hit to the back in the Saints’ game Monday night, was limited in practice Wednesday.
Wide receiver Kerry Meier (groin), defensive end Ray Edwards (knee) and linebacker Stephen Nicholas (toe) did not practice.
Also, veterans Todd McClure, John Abraham and Tony Gonzalez were rested in practice.
Wide receiver Harry Douglas (groin and shoulder), cornerback Brent Grimes (knee), wide receiver Julio Jones (ankle), linebacker Curtis Lofton (ankle), running back Michael Turner (groin) and tight end Michael Palmer (knee) were limited in practice.
Pro Bowl snubs
Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez was the only player on the team selected for the Pro Bowl. Wide receiver Roddy White and special-teams player Eric Weems were first-team alternates.
Linebacker Curtis Lofton felt that he and Sean Weatherspoon had a shot to make the NFC team. Gonzalez felt that quarterback Matt Ryan and Turner were snubbed.
“If it’s based on how you play and your stats, me and Spoon should have been in there,” Lofton said.
Lofton felt that with the Falcons’ 9-6 record, they clearly are under-represented.
“It was a little bit strange,” Lofton said. “Anytime that you’re having success and making it to the playoffs, you figure that you’d have more than one guy go. That just didn’t happen, and I’m disappointed.”
Playoff watching
Because the Falcons play at 4:15 p.m. Sunday, they will know the outcome of Detroit’s game at Green Bay when they take the field. The result of that game will dictate if the Falcons can move up to the No. 5 seed.
Lofton doesn’t plan to watch the game.
“We still have to go out and take care of business,” Lofton said. “I want to go out, win this game and get to 10-6.”
Gonzalez plans to watch.
“Yeah, I’ll pay attention to it because you want to know who we need to get ready for,” Gonzalez said.
