When Falcons wide receiver Roddy White missed practice on Wednesday with a knee injury, coach Mike Smith indicated that it was minor and that White was expected back at practice on Thursday and expected to play on Sunday.
Thursday’s practice has come and gone and White wasn’t on the field for it. That’s changed the outlook for Smith and the Falcons as the coach is now terming White a game-time decision for the home game against the Giants. Smith’s still sounding a hopeful note about White’s status, however.
“We’re going to be very cautious with Roddy in terms of getting ready for the ball game,” Smith said, via the team’s website. “He will not probably do a whole lot tomorrow or Saturday, and then we’ll get him out there on Sunday and see where he’s at. But it’s hard to keep Roddy White out of a football game.”
It will be harder to win a football game this week if White isn’t on the field. The Giants defense has been vulnerable to big passing plays this season and the Falcons are well-suited to exploit that when they have a healthy White and Julio Jones in the lineup.
Safety William Moore also missed practice Thursday. He was inactive for last week’s loss to the Panthers because of a hamstring injury.