Falcons running back Steven Jackson is set to return to play Sunday at Arizona, but starting wide receiver Roddy White will miss his second consecutive game because of injuries.
Jackson hasn’t played since injuring a hamstring while scoring a touchdown on the first series against the Rams on Sept. 15. Jackson, listed as probable on the team’s injury report, said he had no issues after steadily increasing his repetitions in practice this week.
“The speed of practice and the speed of the game are just two totally different things,” Jackson said. “The confidence in the leg has to continue to grow. Make sure that I’m not compromising and overcompensating for the injury. Just continue to make sure I am able to help the team and not hurt them and able to give them 100 percent.”
Jackson’s practice Wednesday was his first since suffering the injury.
“I feel good out there,” Jackson said. “I just have to get my bearings again and get back to the flow of the game, the speed of the game. Looking to continue to heal over the next few days until Sunday.”
Jackson was the Falcons’ most prominent free-agent signing on offense in the offseason. In nine seasons with the Rams, Jackson gained 10,135 yards rushing on 2,395 carries (4.2 average) with 56 touchdowns and 413 catches for 3,324 yards (8.2 average) with eight touchdowns.
The Falcons hope Jackson can inject life into their struggling running game. Its efficiency plummeted to a low of 18 yards on 18 carries against Tampa Bay on Sunday.
With key wide receivers White and Julio Jones out, Jackson and tight end Tony Gonzalez are what’s left of the team’s top playmakers.
“Any time you lose two explosive receivers, things got to change,” Jackson said. “We always talked before about being balanced offense, so we want to continue to make sure we get the running game fixed. Create first downs and get tough yards when we need it and keep the defense honest, more than anything.”
Injury report: White (hamstring/ankle) will miss consecutive games after he had his starting streak of 133 games snapped last week. Harry Douglas and Drew Davis are set to start at wide receiver again, with rookie Darius Johnson as the No. 3 receiver.
Reserve running back Jason Snelling (ankle) and linebacker Stephen Nicholas (thigh) also were ruled out for Sunday’s game.
Snelling had played 112 of 273 snaps since Jackson went down. Josh Vaughan likely will be the No. 3 running back behind Jackson and Jacquizz Rodgers.
Nicholas left the game Sunday after suffering his injury and didn’t return.
Offensive tackle Sam Baker (knee) and linebacker Akeem Dent (ankle) are listed as questionable. Baker, the starter at left tackle, did not play against the Bucs and practiced on a limited basis this week.
Reserve tight end Chase Coffman (knee) is probable for Sunday after sitting out the Bucs game.
Final return: Falcons coach Mike Smith declined to reveal who will return punts Sunday after the competition was opened up following rookie Robert Alford's lost fumble against Tampa Bay. But Robert McClain is the likely choice after he split reps with Douglas during practice this week.
McClain has not handled punts during his three NFL seasons, but was named All-Big East by media during his final season at Connecticut in 2009. He returned a punt 87 yards for a touchdown against Cincinnati that season.
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