WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

Notes, Quotes

The Sports Xchange

November 29, 2018 at 2:10 am.

–One of the biggest questions being asked is about the return of middle linebacker Deion Jones. He was activated from reserve/injured two weeks ago, but was inactive for the games against Dallas and New Orleans. When can Jones be expected to return? “It may be this week,” said head coach Dan Quinn. “We’ll just have to wait and see.
“(Tuesday) I thought was an excellent day for him,” Quinn said. “His speed looked … that explosion … I thought ‘That’s Deion on a play.’ I’m very encouraged by what it looked like so as the reps get better during the week, I think I’ll have a better assessment by Thursday. But the first signs for this week, I thought, were excellent.”

Jones hurt his foot near the end of the season opener. He was placed on reserve a few days later and is just now getting back.

–Given the trouble and insecurity offered by the offensive line last week, veteran Zane Beadles could play a more prominent role in the rotation.

Beadles, a 6-foot-4, 305-pound product of Utah, is in his seventh season in the league. He has played four games since being signed earlier this season when Brandon Fusco was injured and ruled out for the season with a broken ankle.

Beadles has played four games, but has yet to make a start. He played in 16 games last year for San Francisco and started five games.

He’s certainly in the mix for a possible start this week, as the Falcons look for answers on the line.

“We definitely moved (Beadles) around already in practice where he’s played a good bit of time at guard and tackle,” head coach Dan Quinn said. “So he’s actually played some at center, too, but over the last few weeks he’s been here we have definitely worked him both at guard and tackle.”

Beadles was named to the Pro Bowl in 2012 when he played for the Broncos. He started all 16 games during his four seasons in Denver. He started all 16 games both seasons in Jacksonville in 2015 and for San Francisco in 2016.

Quarterback Matt Ryan said he was comfortable with Beadles in the lineup.

“Zane has done a great job,” Ryan said “He’s a veteran guy who’s played for a long time. You can tell he is very professional in his approach. That’s been the case since he’s stepped into this building. We have confidence in him just like we have confidence in the rest of our guys.”

BY THE NUMBERS: 21.29 — According to NextGenStats, WR Calvin Ridley clocked 21.29 mph on acatch, making him the fastest ball carrier of the night in the New Orleans game.

108 — Points scored by the Falcons in the second quarter. Only four other teams have scored more. Their 101 fourth-quarter points is fourth-best in the NFL.

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