Snelling, out two games, returns to Falcons practice

FLOWERY BRANCH -- Falcons running back Jason Snelling, who missed the last two games with a hamstring injury, returned to practice on Wednesday.

Snelling, the team’s second-leading rusher with 300 yards on 74 carries, was injured against Green Bay on Nov. 28.

"We gave him about two or three snaps per period," Falcons coach Mike Smith said. "We'll see how he handles that and see if there are any lingering affects from the practice."

Defensive end John Abraham (groin), middle linebacker Curtis Lofton (knee) and wide receiver Roddy White (knee) did not participate in practice, but are expected to play against the Seahawks Sunday in Seattle.

Snelling, linebacker Coy Wire (head), right tackle Tyson Clabo (ankle), defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux (shoulder) and linebacker Stephen Nicholas (knee) were officially limited in practice.

Getting Snelling back would boost the Falcons rushing attack and take some of the load off Michael Turner, who's rushed 52 times for 200 yards and four touchdowns over the last two games.

In addition to being the second-leading rusher, Snelling has caught 35 passes for 239 yards and two touchdowns.

Seattle’s run defense gives up 119.2 yards per game, which ranks 20th in the league.

Weatherspoon battles back

Linebacker Sean Weatherspoon, who is battling back from a knee injury, is hoping a new tape job will give him more flexibility and explosiveness.

"He's still trying to get back to 100 percent, both physically and back into the speed of the game," defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder said. "He hasn't impacted the games like he was earlier. But I see signs of improvement."

Weatherspoon opened the season as a starter, but is now being used only in the nickel defense.

"It's been tough, but when you've got a successful team and you're winning games, that overrides everything," said Weatherspoon, the the team's first-round pick in the previous NFL draft. "I'm just staying in the training room, fighting and working hard."

White can block, too

Falcons offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey doesn't look at wide receiver Roddy White's league-leading receiving numbers. He's stated that he's not a "stat guy."

"One thing you failed to mention is how well he blocks," Mularkey said after being asked about White's 99 receptions for 1,219 yards. "I think that goes hand in hand with a lot of his success."

He said White has helped spring Turner and Snelling on big runs this season.

"The fun part of it is to watch his energy when he's created a touchdown by blocking," Mularkey said. "He's helped our run game immensely."

Deep ball is back

Mularkey believes having the deep ball threat in the offense might open up more things in the run game. The Falcons hit on a 46-yard pass play to Harry Douglas against Carolina last week.

"We've just been missing with Harry," Mularkey said. "You think about the whole year, we've been missing by a foot."

Owens receives award

Christopher Owens, a second-year cornerback, was named the Falcons' Man of the Year on Monday and will be considered for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award, which will be announced during halftime of Super Bowl XLV in Dallas.

Owens was recognized for his community service. He has participated in more than 20 events in 2010.

"It feels good to be honored for something that I want to do and I like to do," Owens said. "I came from the inner city of Los Angles and a lot of my peers grew up and didn't have that much guidance. I feel like I'm in a position to help others. It's almost an obligation to help others."

Bergeron signed by Dallas

Former Falcons wide receiver Troy Bergeron, who was with the Cleveland Gladiators in the Arena Football League and hails from Columbus, was signed by the Dallas Cowboys and put on their practice squad.