Garrett

Reynolds

The Falcons’ nickel back concussed himself on a crushing special teams hit. He’s been replaced by Kelvin Hayden. RG Garrett Reynolds is also out of the game with an ankle injury. His return is officially questionable. If his night is through, it would be bad news for a Falcons team already missing C Todd McClure. Brett Romberg is currently in at right guard.

The consensus top center in the draft, Konz lacks upper-body strength, has durability concerns, and is tall for the position. On the positive side, the second-team All-American is a master technician and viewed by at least one scout as a “genius” when drawing up plays on the white board. Joe Hawley, a 2010 fourth-rounder, fell flat when filling in for 35-year-old Todd McClure last year. Konz could beat out the underwhelming Garrett Johnson at right guard this season before switching to the pivot once McClure retires.

It doesn’t appear to be a temporary benching after a terrible first half of the season from Reynolds. “It was something that we determined that we needed to do,” coach Mike Smith said. “I think that it paid off for us.” Reynolds has been reduced to a jumbo tight end in power formations. Hawley had struggled earlier in the season at center, but it was time for a change.

Mathis has been out of practice since Wednesday. The problem started with an ear infection and then progressed to dizziness and balance issues. He’s tentatively expected to be “on the tail end” of the issue and should be back at practice soon. Dallas Reynolds has been picking up first-team reps at left guard.

Reynolds’ name is likely written in pencil, however. The Falcons have been hesitant to declare a winner at right guard, and rookie Peter Konz could still displace Reynolds early in the season.

Reynolds was tossed around like a rag doll in pass protection and especially run blocking a season ago, and lost the right guard job to Joe Hawley in early November. The Falcons believe Reynolds will improve, but rookie Peter Konz should give him a run for his money in August. Konz was the 55th overall pick.

Cut by the Jaguars last summer after reporting to camp overweight and injured, Manuwai sat out for all of 2011, but has started 105 games since 2003. He’ll be competing with holdovers Garrett Reynolds and Joe Hawley, and draft pick Peter Konz. Manuwai’s familiarity with coach Dirk Koetter should give him a leg up.

Svitek took over as the starter down the stretch last season, but the Falcons attribute Baker’s 2011 troubles to a mid-season back injury. Garrett Reynolds continues to work as the first-team right guard, though he’s expected to be pushed by veteran Vince Manuwai and rookie Peter Konz.

Phillip Manley was promoted from the practice squad to take Reynold’s roster spot while No. 55 overall pick Peter Konz moves into the starting lineup. Pro Football Focus graded Reynolds as a league-average starter in the first half of the season. A 2009 fifth-round pick, Reynolds is a free agent in 2013.

Reynolds started six games at right guard last year before an ailing back landed him on injured reserve in November. The four-year veteran will be in the mix to start in 2013, but will almost certainly face competition. Due to injuries and benchings, Reynolds has played just 922 snaps over the past two seasons.