FLOWERY BRANCH -- Once quarterback Matt Ryan saw Mike Smith at the team's practice facility, he knew it was back to business.
The Falcons got a scare when their coach was taken to a Charlotte hospital with chest pains following Sunday’s victory over the Panthers.
“I think when you walk in and you see him in the building, and he tells you, ‘I’m fine,’ that’s it,” Ryan said. “That’s kind of his nature so everybody felt good after that.”
Smith, 52, underwent undisclosed tests, was released and arrived in Atlanta at 3 a.m. Monday. He was back at team headquarters later in the afternoon preparing for Thursday night’s game against the Jaguars.
Smith instructed his players not to dwell on the incident. He wasn’t about to give too much thought to it either. When asked following Tuesday’s practice about his health, Smith said only, “Great, I’m out on the practice field coaching football.”
The incident was frightening for the team.
“It’s scary because, obviously before anything, we’re all people and you develop relationships and you get to know somebody and you really care about them,” Ryan said. “So, obviously, in that situation, you’re nervous. You just are. You don’t like for those kind of things to happen.
"But it was reassuring when we finally got back and they let us know that they had spoken to Smitty, and that he was in good spirits and resting and feeling pretty good, and was going to be able to come back. That took the edge off everything.”
Grimes doubtful vs. Jags
Brent Grimes worked with team trainers on Tuesday, but it is doubtful the cornerback will return this week. Grimes will likely miss his third consecutive game after undergoing right knee surgery.
“We’ll have to wait and see but I would say he is probably doubtful right now,” Smith said. “I wouldn’t say we’ve 100 percent ruled him out, but it is doubtful he’ll play in the ballgame Thursday.”
Defensive back Kelvin Hayden, who has missed the past three games with a dislocated toe, also did not practice Tuesday in order to work with trainers.
The Falcons held several other players out of practice: Tyson Clabo (non-injury related illness), John Abraham (rest), Tony Gonzalez (rest), Todd McClure (rest), Will Svitek (groin), Michael Turner (groin), Harry Douglas (groin) and Jonathan Babineaux (ankle).
Meier appeal postponed
Wide receiver Kerry Meier had his appeal hearing on the $20,000 fined levied against him by the NFL moved until next week. The hearing was scheduled for Tuesday but pushed back a week because the Falcons have a short week in preparation for Thursday night's game against the Jaguars. The league fined Meier for his hit on Vikings long snapper Cullen Loeffler.
Meier was fined for an illegal blindside block to the head area during a Falcons’ punt return. Loeffler broke a bone in his lower back on the hit in the second quarter and is out for the season. No penalty was called on the play.
Jones-Drew a receiving threat
Jacksonville's Maurice Jones-Drew leads the NFL in rushing with 1,222 yards. Turner is not far behind, sitting third with 1,068 yards. One area that Jones-Drew has a decided advantage is receptions. The Jaguars utilize the running back in their passing game much more than the Falcons.
Jones-Drew has 35 receptions for 348 yards this season. Turner, on the other hand, has just 11 receptions for 128 yards. Turner isn’t looking to close that gap.
“It’s not in our game plan,” Turner said Tuesday. “That’s not our style. They like to hand it to me. I’ll take that.”
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