Falcons wide receiver Mohamed Sanu returned to practice Saturday, and he and coach Dan Quinn expect him to play Monday night against the Giants as his injured hip continues to improve.
Sanu, who missed practices earlier in the week, has scored a touchdown or pulled in more than 100 yards worth of receptions in four consecutive games.
He missed practice Thursday and Friday with an injury he said he originally sustained Sept. 30 against the Bengals and aggravated in the second half Sunday against the Bucs.
“It’s a lot better than I felt Sunday. It’s a lot better,” Sanu said after practice. “Definitely (going to play).”
Quinn likewise was confident after practice, and said that Sanu, wide receiver Calvin Ridley (ankle), starting defensive tackle Grady Jarrett (ankle) and reserve defensive lineman Derrick Shelby (groin) will play against New York.
Jarrett missed the two previous games, and Shelby the previous four. Ridley did not practice Thursday and was limited Friday.
“Yep. Yep. Yeah,” Quinn said when asked about Sanu, Jarrett and Shelby playing Monday. “... When I saw them go through all three days of practice, I had to see it with my own eyes to sense that they would be ready.
“Having the extra day probably helped the receivers more than anybody. Having the extra day this week was exactly we needed. We’ve been on the other side of some injury stuff, so it’s nice to get an extra day when you needed one.”
Kicker Matt Bryant (hamstring) will not play for the Falcons (2-4) against the Giants (1-5), and recently signed Giorgio Tavecchio will handle placekicking.
Sanu has 22 receptions for 303 yards and three touchdowns.
He said that when his left hip began bothering him, “it was more deceleration,” as there was soreness when he slowed down from running.
“It’s been a lot of strengthening. I felt good, but there’s a little (pain) management, too. It’s definitely going to get better.”
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