Falcons rookie tight end Austin Hooper, depending on the opening formation, is set to make his first NFL start against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in an important NFC South game at 8:25 p.m. Thursday at Raymond James Stadium.
“I’m ready,” said Hooper, who’s set to replace the injured Jacob Tamme (shoulder). “My opportunity has presented itself. I just have to be prepared and ready to go.”
Hooper was selected in the third-round (81st overall) of the NFL draft after leaving Stanford after his junior season.
Hooper, at 6-foot-4 and 254 pounds, has played in all eight games and has caught 11 passes for 195 yards and a touchdown.
“Rookie year, there’s been a lot of learning and a lot of growth,” Hooper said. “I feel like every single game, I’ve gotten better. I’m just trying to keep that trend going.”
Quarterback Matt Ryan believes that Hooper is ready for an expanded role.
“I think Austin has done everything that we’ve asked of him this year,” Ryan said. “As a rookie, he’s come in and he’s played a lot of snaps for a young guy. I think his snaps have kind of increased week-in and week-out, which is always good to see. He’s a guy that has been getting better for us.”
Hooper, like most rookie tight ends coming into the league, had to work on his blocking.
“I’m going to continue to hone my craft,” Hooper said.
The Falcons believe his blocking is not a liability anymore.
“He’s really improved at that,” Falcons coach Dan Quinn said. “We’ve asked him can he make that kind of progress over training camp and that’s really where the extra work has been put in. The tight end/tackle combination, that’s such an important part of our run game.”
Hooper’s not making a big deal of bump up the depth chart.
“You have to prepare like you’re starting every week,” Hooper said “You watch film over and over again. Cross your T’s and dot your I’s. You have to be ready to go.”
Hooper will split time with Levine Toilolo and Joshua Perkins, who’s been inactive for eight games is expected to play. Levine also played at Stanford and has been showing Hooper the NFL ropes.
“Levine is a great dude,” Hooper said. “He’s been a great mentor for me. He’s a guy that’s played a few years in the league here. He understands what to do and what not to do. What works and what doesn’t. He’s been a great resource for me.”
Perkins, who played at Washington, made the team as an undrafted rookie.
“There have been many a times if we’ve had another shot to get Perk up we would have,” Quinn said. “He’s been that kind of performer in practice so we know he’s ready. He’s certainly looking forward to his opportunity.”
