Falcons offensive lineman Ty Sambrailo started at right tackle against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.
Ryan Schraeder, who’s struggled at times against speed rushers this season, was benched in the move. On the third play from scrimmage, Sambrailo was called for offsides.
Falcons’ offensive line, as a unit, has not played well over the team’s four-game losing streak.
Sambrailo was normally the backup swing tackle and played some as an extra tight end in blocking situations. Ben Garland was used as the blocking tight end against the Packers.
In September of 2017, the Falcons traded their 2018 fifth-round draft pick to the Broncos for Sambrailo, who was a second-round pick in 2015.
Sambrailo, 26, opened his rookie season as the Broncos left tackle with Ryan Clady out injured.
Sambrailo, who’s listed at 6-foot-5 and 315 pounds, played in 10 games and made four starts in 2016 for the Broncos. He was considered a second-round bust by some and was bullied by the Falcons in their break-through win in Denver by defensive end Vic Beasley.
Since being acquired he has provided some depth behind starting tackles Jake Matthews and Schrader. He’s played in 27 games and made two starts in 2017 for the Falcons.
In the 26-16 loss to the Ravens on Sunday, the Falcons started veteran Zane Beadles in place of Garland at right guard.
After the 31-17 loss to the Saints on Thanksgiving, Falcons coach Dan Quinn singled out the play of the offensive line and said the team would look to Beadles and Sambrailo for help.
The Falcons were held to 26 yards rushing against the Saints and 34 yards against the Broncos. In both of those games, quarterback Matt Ryan has been either sacked on hit on 35 percent of 82 drop backs.
The Falcons entered Week 13 last in the league in rushing at 79 yards per game.
