Numerous times Sunday he made his feelings known to his teammates and, in the fourth quarter, directly to Seifert on the sidelines. He entered the game as one of the NFL's leading receivers, but was virtually removed from the game plan in goal-line situations. Jeffers was subbing for regular starter Rae Carruth, who injured his ankle last week at San Francisco and isn't due back against the Falcons. If Jeffers can't play, Eric Metcalf would be the likely replacement. That would leave the team with only three healthy wideouts and might necessitate signing Dialleo Burks off the practice squad.
Trainers expect all three to be able to play next week.
Tovar was penalized 15 yards for the hit. Biakabutuka missed much of the first half after twisting his ankle, and wasn't effective when he returned. He had nine carries for 10 yards, lowering his per-carry average for the season to 7.3. It had been 10.8 two weeks ago. Biakabutuka already was nursing a hip flexor he injured last week against the 49ers.