Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons

Smith encouraged by Ryan's injury progress

By
Dec 8, 2009

FLOWERY BRANCH – Falcons coach Mike Smith is encouraged by Matt Ryan's recovery from his turf toe injury and did not rule him out of Sunday's game with the New Orleans Saints.

This season when Smith knows a player will not be available, he has announced that at his Monday press conference. When a player has a chance to play, he has given other varied designations.

It is not clear if Ryan has a first, second or third degree turf toe sprain.

"I'm not a medical guy, but I know they grade the different injuries," Smith said. "We are encouraged because we are going to get a chance to see Matt out there on Wednesday, but as far as the grade I'm not going to comment about that."

Smith is not sure if Ryan will return to practice on Wednesday.

"We're hoping to see where he's at on Wednesday," Smith said. "If he can come out and participate, he'll come out and participate."

Ryan suffered the turf toe on the first series of the Tampa Bay game on Nov. 29. He was declared inactive and did not play against Philadelphia on Sunday.

About the Author

Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.

Follow D. Orlando Ledbetter on facebookFollow D. Orlando Ledbetter on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

Panthers quarterback Bryce Young — pictured passing against the Saints in a 17-7 loss Sunday — was 16-of-24 for 121 yards and rushed for a touchdown in Carolina's 30-0 win over Atlanta on Sept. 21. (Rusty Jones/AP)

Credit: AP

Next opponent for Falcons: A quick look at Bryce Young and the Panthers

Quarterback Bryce Young continues to struggle, but the Panthers' run game ranks eighth in the league, which will be a tough task for the Falcons' 29th-ranked rush defense.

Raheem Morris addresses Penix, third downs, clock management, staff performance

Falcons coach Raheem Morris talks over Sunday' loss to the Indianapolis Colts and gives his support to quarterback Michael Penix Jr.

Taylor’s big day dooms Atlanta

Falcons linebacker Kaden Elliss said the defense 'stopped playing' during Jonathan Taylor's 83-yard touchdown run in the overtime loss to the Colts.

The Latest

Panthers quarterback Bryce Young — pictured passing against the Saints in a 17-7 loss Sunday — was 16-of-24 for 121 yards and rushed for a touchdown in Carolina's 30-0 win over Atlanta on Sept. 21. (Rusty Jones/AP)

Credit: AP

Next opponent for Falcons: A quick look at Bryce Young and the Panthers

Raheem Morris addresses Penix, third downs, clock management, staff performance

5 things we learned from the Falcons’ 31-25 loss to the Colts

Featured

The DeKalb school district is suing to recover money spent on cellphone lockers, plus money spent on implementing social media guidelines and hosting associated events, lost teaching time and to hire extra school counselors. (The New York Times file)

Credit: NYT

DeKalb school district reveals $4M social media addiction problem

The district is suing social media companies to get them to pay for addressing students' addiction to apps like Instagram. The companies argue they aren't to blame.

Atlanta airport sees continued cancellations because of shutdown

More than 115 flight cancellations were recorded on a quieter frigid Tuesday morning, far below Saturday's surge of 370.

For Ossoff and Georgia Democrats, the shutdown fight is the message

The fight over the federal government shutdown has allowed Georgia Democrats, like U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff, to show that they have the grit to stand up to Republicans.