Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (ankle) tight end Austin Hooper (knee) and running back Devonta Freeman (foot sprain) did not practice Wednesday, according to the team’s official injury report.
Falcons coach Dan Quinn repeated that he didn't want to rule either player for the game against the Panthers at 1 p.m. Sunday at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, while there is a report from NFL Media that Hooper will miss four games.
Quinn denied the report that Hooper will miss four games.
“Not from this building,” Quinn said when asked about the report.
Quinn further explained why he doesn’t like to give out the timetable on injuries.
“It will be a longshot for Hoop and Free,” Quinn said. “Sometimes with injuries, it can be faster. You don’t want to pigeon hole a player into, OK, two weeks and he’s out four, oh, he’s not pushing it to go.
“Those two guys are working as hard as they can. Then, if he’s supposed to be out six weeks and he’s back in one, then he must not have been that hurt. We are just going to make sure that they’ll back out on the field when they are ready to do the things that they can do. We are going to take good care of the guys.”
Also, safety Kemal Ishmael and guard/center Wes Schweitzer did not practice.
“It will be a longshot for Hoop and Free,” Quinn admitted for the Panthers game.
Punter Ryan Allen (right ankle), cornerback Desmond Trufant (turf toe), safety Sharrod Neasman (hamstring), defensive end John Cominsky (ankle) and tight end Luke Stocker (knee) were limited
Safety Damontae Kazee (shoulder) fully participated.
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