FLOWERY BRANCH – Falcons starting defensive tackle Corey Peters suffered a left knee injury and was taken off the field on a cart during Sundamorning practice.
Peters, who incurred the injury during one-on-one pass rushing drills, will not play against Jacksonville but surgery will not be required, according to Falcons head coach Mike Smith.
Linebacker Akeem Dent, the Falcons third-round draft pick, did not practice and wore a brace on his left knee. In addition to Dent, tight end Justin Peelle (knee) and quarterback John Parker Wilson (concussion) did not practice on Sunday.
“That was a very physical game,” Smith said, referring to the exhibition opener. “Both teams play hard. We have a couple of guys that are probably not going to be ready to go by the end of the week.”
Right guard Mike Johnson (concussion) returned to practice Sunday and is expected to fully participate in Monday's practice. He had been out since suffered a concussion on Aug. 4.
Tight end Marquez Branson (left knee) and defensive tackle Vance Walker (ankle) could return to action soon.
Defensive end Ray Edwards, who is recovering from knee surgery, had his practice schedule ramped up a bit on Sunday.
“It was almost full participation,” Smith said. “We will know more by the end of the week.”
Smith was not ready to make a determination on Edwards' status for this week’s exhibition game against Jacksonville.
Peters started 15 games last season as a rookie. He finished with 40 tackles, two tackles for losses and a sack. Peria Jerry, the team's first-round pick in 2009, will likely take over for Peters.
Powell signed
Defensive tackle Carlton Powell, a Virginia Tech product, was signed by the Falcons. Powell was a fifth-round pick of the Denver Broncos in 2008. He's also spent some time with the Browns, Buccaneers, Jets and the Florida Tuskers of the UFL.
“I just have to get in this playbook as quick as I can,” Powell said. “[And] then get around the guys and get some knowledge from them.”
Powell, 26, was injured during his rookie season with Denver.
"They switched the whole defensive scheme after they fired [Mike] Shanahan and the rest of the coaches," Powell said. "They wanted me to put on more weight, [and] coming off the injury and learning a new position was kind of tough. It didn't work out for me."
Powell, a 6-foot-3, 312-pounder, was last with the Jets.
“He’s a guy that will have some familiarity in how we call things having spent some time with the Jets,” Smith said. “Some of the verbiage should be similar.”
With Walker and Peters injured, Powell will get an opportunity to play immediately.
“He might get a lot of snaps this week,” Smith said.
Film highlights
The special teams play of Dent and reserve defensive back Darrin Walls jumped out at Smith during his film review of the Miami game. Dent was impressive on the coverage units and Walls, an undrafted rookie free agent from Notre Dame, played well on the punt coverage unit.
“Probably, the biggest disappointment is that we gave up some explosive plays on defense, those two long touchdown passes,” Smith said.
The Falcons first-team defense had not tackled live during training camp.
“I really thought that the tackling was pretty crisp in terms of what we did on the defensive side of the ball,” Smith said.
Clabo gets booted
Offensive tackle Tyson Clabo and defensive end Kroy Biermann were sent to the locker room after getting into a fight during the morning practice. Following the skirmish, the two weren't mad at each other: Clabo held the door open to let Biermann go into the locker room first.
Will Svitek took over at right tackle for Clabo and Chauncey Davis filled in at left end for Biermann.
Franks impressive
Second-year cornerback Dominique Franks turned in a solid showing against the Dolphins. In addition to returning two punts for 77 yards, Franks had two tackles and one quarterback hurry.
“I just set up the blocks,” Franks said. “I have to credit the blocking. It’s more than just me out there.”
Etc.
Linebacker Bear Woods led the Falcons in tackles with five against the Dolphins. ... Defensive ends Emmanuel Stephens and Cliff Matthews each recorded a sack. ... Backup quarterback Adam Froman completed 6 of 13 passes for 45 yards and had one interception. ... Long snapper Andrew Schulze was the only non-injured player who didn't see action against the Dolphins.
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