FLOWERY BRANCH – Falcons tight end Levine Toilolo said he's ready to step-in for Jacob Tamme, who's in the league's concussion protocol and may not be available to play against Houston at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Georgia Dome.
“Absolutely, you still prepare the same way,” Toilolo said. “I think we do a good job of rotating throughout the week. We’ve been getting good reps, with just the two of us. If that’s the plan, you just keep doing what you’re doing and adjust.”
Toilolo, a fourth-round pick in the 2013 draft out of Stanford, started all 16 games last season. He caught 31 passes on 54 targets for 238 yards and two touchdowns.
He has just three targets this season and has caught two passes. He’s been used mostly as a blocking tight end.
Toilolo caught a two-point conversion against the Cowboys to help the Falcons close their deficit to three points, 28-25, during their furious 25-point rally.
“Honestly, I don’t think anyone covered me,” Toilolo said. “So, that was best look we could have (received). It was like playing pitch-and-catch.”
Toilolo, who had a rash of dropped passes in 2014, said he’s ready if the Falcons want to throw him some more passes.
“Anytime that the ball comes your way, even if it’s a run play to your side, you take great pride in trying to help the team out,” Toilolo said. “Whenever you get that chance, it’s great to be able to help out the team.”
With Tamme down, Toilolo played 63 of 74 snaps (85 percent) against the Cowboys.
“At the time, you don’t really think about it,” Toilolo said. “You just go out there, get in the huddle and run what they call. I think we did a good job or mixing up personnel, too.”
Fullback Patrick DiMarco helped to fill some of the backup tight end duties against the Cowboys.
“He played some different spots that he’s not normally called on to do,” Toilolo said. “He stepped up big. I think the whole offense played well.”
If Tamme is out for an extended period of time, tight end Marcel Jensen, who has played in one NFL game with Jacksonville, could be called up from the practice squad.
Jensen, 6-foot-6, 260 pounds, played at Fresno State.
