The Falcons will be without prized-rookie left tackle Jake Matthews when they face the Cincinnati Bengals at 1 p.m. at Paul Brown Stadium.
Matthews, who was injured in the season opener against the New Orleans Saints, was declared out by head coach Mike Smith on the team’s official injury report submitted to the league office.
Matthews tested the ankle with the trainers on the field on Friday.
“Jake was able to come out here and work a little bit,” Smith said. “We really like the progress that he has made in his work with the trainers and with his work with us a little bit today.”
Smith who played wide receiver Roddy White with a high ankle sprain last season against New Orleans in the season opener and may have rushed Michael Turner back from a high ankle sprain back in 2009, doesn’t want to rush Matthews back.
Matthews, the sixth overall pick in the NFL draft, was injured in the second quarter against the Saints and was replaced by Gabe Carimi, who struggled as he gave up a sack, four hurries and was penalized three times.
Carimi will face a stiff challenge against the Bengals. He’ll be matched up against Carlos Dunlap, Wallace Gilberry and Robert Geathers at different times during the game.
The Falcons are hopeful that a week of practice at left tackle we have Carimi, who missed most of training camp, ready for the stout Bengals defenders.
“When you know what position you’re going to be playing at the start of the ball game it definitely helps and it helps in our preparation as a coaching staff,” Smith said. “I know that Gabe did a very good job last week and we anticipate that he hold down the fort again this week.”
Left guard Justin Blalock believes that Carimi is ready for action.
“He’s been practicing all week, trying to get adapted to that spot a little better,” Blalock said. “He’s the consummate professional. He comes in everyday and he knows what his responsibilities are. I’m not worried about that aspect of it at all. It’s just a matter of the two of us getting comfortable playing next to each other.”
Reserve tackle Ryan Schraeder, who was not active for the Saints’ game, will serve as the backup swing tackle in Cincinnati.
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