Falcons head coach Mike Smith has ruled out quarterback Matt Ryan for this Sunday's game between the Eagles and the Falcons due to a turf toe injury, per AtlantaFalcons.com's J. Michael Moore. Running back Michael Turner, who suffered an ankle injury Sunday, has not been ruled out.
Ryan, a native of Exton, Pa. who played high school football at nearby Penn Charter, sprained the big toe on his right foot during the first offensive series of Sunday's 20-17 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to an *Associated Press *report. Chris Redman took over and completed 23-of-41 passes for 243 yards and two touchdowns - one of which was the game-winner to Roddy White with just 23 seconds left. Redman was also sacked five times in his first action since the 2007 season.
Ryan has completed 59.4 percent of his passes for 2,291 yards with 16 touchdowns and 12 interceptions this season. According to Moore, Smith said that Redman will work with the first-team offense and no roster moves at the quarterback position will be made.
As for Turner, Smith did not provide any other comment other than he has not been ruled out for Sunday. This isn't the first ankle sprain for Turner this season. Turner suffered an ankle sprain against the Carolina Panthers on Nov. 15 and missed the following week's game against the New York Giants. According to Jay Glazer of FOXSports.com, this ankle sprain is lower than the one he previously incurred. Jerious Norwood received the majority of the carries in Turner's absence Sunday.
Turner has 864 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns this season, which ranks third in the NFL.
The Atlanta Falcons went from 4-12 in 2007 to 11-5 in 2008 thanks to Smith, a first-year head coach, Ryan, the No. 3 overall pick in the draft that year, and Turner, who was signed by the Falcons as a free agent. Ryan was named the Offensive Rookie of the Year and Turner earned All-Pro honors.
-- Posted by Chris McPherson, 3:18 p.m., November 30
