Falcons offensive lineman Ty Sambrailo was working at right tackle with the first-team during the open portion of practice on Wednesday.
Sambrailo was in the lineup for Ryan Schraeder, who’s struggled at times this season. The Falcons’ offensive line, as a unit, has not played well over the team’s four-game losing streak.
Sambrailo is normally the backup swing tackle and plays some as an extra tight end in blocking situations.
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 Ben Garland at right guard. Both Beadles and Garland were taking reps with the first-team during the open portion of practice.
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.
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