While the Falcons have been in a full-blown youth movement mode, Falcons rookie tight end Levine Toilolo has not seen his playing time increase much.
The team has elected to let future Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez play in the games and that’s fine with Toilolo, who’s been getting most of the No. 1 reps in practice.
“I think that’s helped me as far as my comfort level and getting on the same page, not only with Matt (Ryan), but with blocking and the double-teams that I may have with tackles and stuff like that,” Toilolo said.
He’s fine with Gonzalez, who’s set to retire after 17 years, getting most of the game snaps.
“He deserves it,” Toilolo said. “I’m trying to sit back and watch and just take in whatever I can from him these last couple of weeks with him.”
Toilolo played at Stanford and was recruited by current San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh.
“He’s one of my all-time favorite players that I coached,”Harbaugh said. “He comes from a wonderful family. He’s been blessed by Mom, Dad and God to be where he is. He’s just a wonderful person and competitor.”
Toilolo has caught 11 passes for 55 yards and two touchdown this season.
Motta has neck injury: Rookie Zeke Motta, who started against Washington, suffered a neck injury in Thursday's practice and did not participate in Friday's practice.
Motta, a seventh-round pick from Notre Dame, started at free safety for Thomas DeCoud, who was out with a concussion, against the Redskins. He finished with five tackles and a pass breakup.
Also, running back Antone Smith (knee) returned to practice. He was injured against Green Bay on Dec. 8 and did not play against Washinton. Tight end Tony Gonzalez (toe) was limited.
Wide receiver Darius Johnson (high ankle sprain) and linebacker Sean Weatherspoon (knee) did not practice
Snelling update: Running back Jason Snelling, who was arrested Nov. 15 in Barrow County on charges of marijuana possession and several traffic charges in November, was granted a continuance until February.
“Honestly, I respectfully decline to talk about the situation,” Snelling said in the locker room. “It’s an ongoing legal matter. It’s just something that I’ll have to deal with after the season.”
Snelling was arrested by the Winder Police Department, accused of being in possession of marijuana. Snelling, 29, of Lawrenceville, was booked into the Barrow County jail at 6:42 a.m. and later made bond. He was arrested at 4:20 a.m., according to the incident report.
Snelling elected to play in the Tampa Bay game on Nov. 17.
A reserve running back, Snelling has 38 rushes for 130 yards and one touchdown this season. He has 24 catches for 186 yards and two touchdowns.
Reeves watch: Former Falcons coach Dan Reeves has been keeping an eye on the team while relaxing in retirement.
“I’ve just been doing a local show on 680, but other than that I’m not doing anything,” said Reeeves, who guided the Falcons to their only Super Bowl appearance. “I’ve just been watching all of the football second guessing everybody.”
He concurred with the notion that the Falcons’ efforts this season have been hurt by the injuries and a lack of depth.
“Exactly, they are playing hard,” Reeves said. “(The injuries) have showed that the depth is not what it needed to be and you can become mediocre real quick if you get some injuries and aren’t in the right situations. They’ve certainly had their share of them.”
Maponga healthy: Rookie defensive end Stansly Maponga, who had off season ankle surgery, has played the fewest snaps of the young defensive ends, 102.
Jonathan Massaquoi (457), Malliciah Goodman (221) and Cliff Matthews (154) have all played more.
Maponga, a fifth-round pick from Texas Christian, had surgery in March and didn’t get a chance to work out. He’s looking forward to having a full offseason.
“I know what I need to do to fix myself to get back to that being that dominate player that I am,” Maponga said. “I know what I need to work on.”
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