The Falcons were encouraged when right tackle Lamar Holmes played solidly during exhibition games but it appears Holmes and Gabe Carimi will share right tackle now that the games count.
Holmes started Sunday’s game against the Saints at the Georgia Dome but Carimi replaced him for the third series. Holmes returned to play the fourth series, the final drive before halftime.
Holmes, a third-round draft pick by the Falcons in 2012, struggled last season while starting 12 games at left tackle in place of Sam Baker and three games at right tackle. Holmes ended up as the starting right tackle this year after season-ending injuries to Baker and Mike Johnson forced the Falcons to shuffle the line.
Carimi, a first-round pick for the Bears in 2011, struggled at both tackle spots before being moved to guard. Carimi played in 14 games with three starts for Tampa Bay in 2013. During Falcons training camp Carimi primarily practiced at guard while also taking reps at right tackle.
Carimi moved to left tackle on Sunday after rookie Jake Matthews suffered an ankle injury near the end of the first half. Holmes was at right tackle.
Baker’s knee injury prompted Matthews, the No. 6 overall pick in the draft, to move from right to left tackle during training camp. Holmes was in competition with Johnson to start at right tackle when Johnson was lost to a foot injury.
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