FLOWERY BRANCH — Will Svitek will remain as the Falcons’ starter at left tackle. Coach Mike Smith made the depth-chart change official Wednesday.
Svitek took over at left tackle when Sam Baker, who started the season’s first six games, missed four games with a back injury. Baker was activated for Sunday’s game against the Vikings, but played only on special teams.
“It’s good to be at one spot,” Svitek said. “Before I moved around between the different tackle positions, a little guard, special teams, tight end. Definitely it’s an advantage playing at one spot right now.
“It’s great from a physical standpoint and a mental standpoint. Mentally I can just focus on the plays at left [tackle] and look at the different [defensive] looks that I will get. From a physical standpoint, switching sides changes your footwork. People don’t always realize that.”
Smith said the decision was made because Baker is still not 100 percent recovered from back surgery performed during the Falcons’ bye week in late October. The team previously had not revealed that Baker had surgery, his second in four seasons. Baker had a discectomy, a procedure on herniated-disc material in his lower back to relieve pain in his hip, as a rookie.
“Will has been very consistent over the last four to five ball games,” Smith said. “I think we have done some things schematically to help us. I think our protections have helped us improve. The arrow has been going up. It’s much better than at the start of the season.”
Svitek has faced stiff competition protecting quarterback Matt Ryan’s blindside over the past five games. He has not allowed a sack despite going up against Detroit’s Kyle Vanden Bosch, Indianapolis’ Dwight Freeney, New Orleans’ Will Smith, Tennessee’s Jason Jones and Minnesota’s Jared Allen.
Injury report
In addition to the losses of defensive backs Brent Grimes (out, knee surgery) and Kelvin Hayden (doubtful, dislocated toe), several other players did not participate in practice Wednesday.
Linebacker Stephen Nicholas (quad) was held out. According to Smith, Nicholas should be able to play Sunday against the Texans. Nicholas suffered the injury last week against Minnesota.
The Falcons held several others out of practice. They were defensive end John Abraham (rest), tight end Tony Gonzalez (rest), center Todd McClure (rest), wide receiver Julio Jones (hamstring), running back Michael Turner (groin) and defensive tackle Vance Walker (groin).
Cornerback Dunta Robinson (neck) and safety William Moore (quad) were full participants. Moore, who was limited in practice last week, was activated against the Vikings but did not play.
Texans have top defense
The Falcons’ offense will have it hands full with the Texans, who are the No. 1 team in the NFL in total defense, allowing 268.4 yards per game.
Playing a 3-4 scheme, the Texans are second in the league against the pass (175.8 yards) and fourth against the run (92.5).
Falcons offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey said there is no secret to the Texans’ defense. It’s about how well they execute.
“It’s not hard to decipher,” Mularkey said. “We know where they are going to be. They are not complicated by any means. They play the scheme extremely well. They have the personnel to play the scheme extremely well, and they play at a very high level with effort and intensity.”
Staff writer D. Orlando Ledbetter contributed to this article.
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