FLOWERY BRANCH — Falcons cornerback Brent Grimes underwent successful surgery to repair his right knee Thursday.
“We’ve been in communication with him, and he’s finished with the procedure,” coach Mike Smith said.
The Falcons have not set a timetable for his return, but players with similar surgeries are out two to three weeks, according to Dr. Jonathan Glashow, an orthopedic surgeon and co-chief of sports medicine at New York’s Mount Sinai Medical Center.
Grimes had been playing with the injury since the Detroit game Oct. 23.
“We see a lot of players who get tears mid-season and we try to put the surgery off until after the season if they don’t bother them so much,” said Glashow, who has been a medical consultant for ESPN. “Sometimes the tears get so big and bothersome that they interfere with their function or ability to run. ... A lot of times we get players back in two to three weeks. It’s certainly been done before.”
If Grimes can hit the early part of that window, he could be back in time to play against Jacksonville and have a game under his belt before the Falcons play the New Orleans Saints on Dec. 26 in a game that may decide the NFC South title.
The surgery should not affect Grimes’ extraordinary leaping ability.
“Unless it’s really a huge tear, which I doubt this is, mostly likely he’ll get everything back,” Glashow said. “Some of these young fellows are really incredible athletes, and they are able to return amazingly quick even after a surgery.”
Baker battling
Left tackle Sam Baker, who’s trying to return from back surgery, is adjusting to his role as a reserve and special-teams player. “It feels better every day,” Baker said. “I’m just doing anything I can to help the team right now.”
Baker started the first six games, but Smith announced that Will Svitek will start at left tackle. “It’s real difficult to not be a part of it when you’ve been part of it for so long,” said Baker, who has started since being taken in the first round of the 2008 draft.
Palmer’s clutch play
Second-year tight end Michael Palmer, from Parkview High, made a clutch catch to score a touchdown in the fourth quarter after the Vikings had cut the Falcons’ lead to three points. “That was extra special because Matt [Ryan] felt confident enough to throw me the ball in that situation,” Palmer said.
Etc.
Darrin Walls, who’ll be the top reserve cornerback Sunday, will see his first NFL action on special teams against Houston ... Long snapper Joe Zelenka was named the team’s "Community All-Star" for his work in the community for the month of November.
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