FLOWERY BRANCH — Defensive end Ray Edwards is set to make his Falcons’ debut against the Pittsburgh Steelers at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Heinz Field.
“Right now, we are anticipating that Ray will be going this week,” said Falcons coach Mike Smith after practice Wednesday. “We’re going to get our first snaps with him. ... We look forward to seeing him out on the field.”
Edwards, the team’s prized free-agent signee, has recovered from knee surgery. The former Minnesota Viking signed a five-year $30 million contract, with $11 million guaranteed, with the Falcons on July 29.
The Falcons hope that Edwards will balance the field and provide a pass rush opposite Pro Bowler John Abraham.
Pittsburgh, with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, will present a unique challenge for the Falcons’ defense. Roethlisberger is a master of escaping sacks and extending plays. The Falcons’ pass rush, with Edwards on board, will get a chance to chase him around.
“He’s a big, strong guy that you have to get on the ground,” Smith said. “He can throw the ball 55 to 60 yards down the field.”
One of the reasons why the Falcons signed Edwards was because Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers was able to extend plays and complete some key passes in the team’s playoff loss last season.
Edwards, 6-foot-5, 268 pounds, was a fourth-round draft pick of the Vikings in 2006. The former Purdue standout amassed 29 sacks in five seasons. He had eight sacks last season and a career-high 8.5 in 2009.
Bosher wins job
Matt Bosher, the Falcons’ sixth-round draft pick, has won the punting, kickoff and holder jobs.
The Falcons waived his main competitor, Ken Parrish, on Wednesday.
Bosher didn’t get emotional about winning the job.
“I’m just trying to stay calm and get ready for Pittsburgh this week,” Bosher said. “They are a great team; they went to the Super Bowl last year.”
The team also waived fullback Thor Merrow, long snapper Andrew Schulze and tight end A.J. Simmons.
Merrow, who played at Buford High and North Alabama, is the son of former Falcons defensive end Jeff Merrow, who played with the team from 1975-83 after being selected in the 11th round out of West Virginia.
The Falcons’ roster now stands at 85. They must reduce it to 80 players by Tuesday as part of the NFL’s mandatory roster cut down and to 53 by Sept. 3. They can establish an eight-player practice squad Sept. 5.
Walls’ homecoming
Christopher Owens, who’s in a battle at nickel back, suffered a hamstring injury Tuesday and did not practice Wednesday.
With Dunta Robinson (hamstring) not expected to play, Darrin Walls, an undrafted rookie free agent from Notre Dame, will move up to the third cornerback spot if Owens can’t play against the Steelers.
Walls, a native of Pittsburgh, grew up a Steelers fan.
“To play against a team I watched growing up makes it more special,” Walls said. “It’s not just another game, but it’s a chance for me to go out there and try to make the team.”
Smith has been raving about Walls, who’s 6-foot, 190 pounds, since he made a couple of plays in punt coverage against Miami.
“He’s caught our attention,” Smith said. “He’s earned an opportunity to get some playing time.”
Kelly getting ready
Tight end Reggie Kelly, who was signed to replace Justin Peelle at the No. 2 spot, is soaking up the offensive information.
“He’s been around a long time,” Gonzalez said. “Right now, we are just bringing him along slowly, giving him plays that he understands. ... He’s going to help us out a lot.”
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