Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger must have been dreaming about a Falcons player taunting him, which very well could have been the case since he was knocked woozy when the jaw-jacking took place, Falcons players said Thursday.
Defensive ends Patrick Kerney and Chauncey Davis and linebacker Michael Boley, all involved in a third-quarter hit that knocked Roethlisberger out of Atlanta's 41-38 victory over Pittsburgh last Sunday, rebutted Roethlisberger's claims that a player told him they were targeting his face, which was damaged in a motorcycle accident in June.
"That's a pretty good memory for a concussed man," said Kerney, who denied saying anything or hearing any of his teammates say anything.
Said Boley: "I was right there on the play when he got hurt. I didn't hear anybody say anything to him. If they did it had to be one of those things where somebody went up to him and whispered in his ear. I don't think anybody on this team would say anything like that.
"That was just something good to print. That was just something that he wanted to say. I guess after being knocked out like that he just wanted to get something out there in the paper."
Davis, who appeared to deliver the main blow that left Roethlisberger motionless for several minutes, said Big Ben must have been imagining things.
"I didn't say it and I didn't hear anybody say anything," Davis said. "That's not me. I don't talk on the field. I'm not a dirty player. I was right there until the play was over and I didn't hear anybody say anything. So where he got that from, I don't know."
On Tuesday, Roethlisberger to the Associated Press that, "One of their players said something to me and that's the last thing I remember."
He did not disclose the player but said, "I'll remember his number."
Coleman, Forney return to practice
Defensive tackle Rod Coleman (turf toe) and starting right guard Kynan Forney (shoulder dislocation) returned to practice Thursday, although both are listed questionable for Sunday's game at Cincinnati.
"I want to see how [Coleman] feels [Friday]," coach Jim Mora said. "He didn't leave the field and he did everything we asked him to do, so that's a real positive, a real positive for us. We need him."
Coleman did not play last Sunday against Pittsburgh after suffering the injury against the New York Giants on Oct. 15. With defensive end John Abraham (abdominal surgery) out, Coleman's return would give Atlanta's pass rush a boost.
Coleman's backup, Jonathan Babineaux (heel) did not practice and is listed as questionable. Darrell Shropshire would move into that tackle spot from nose guard if needed.
Forney's possible return would keep the offensive line intact. If Forney can't play, Tyson Clabo would move from left guard to right guard. Quinn Ojinnaka or recently signed P.J. Alexander would start at left guard.
Falcons plan for receiver Henry
Falcons players and coaches said they expect the Bengals to activate troubled wide receiver Chris Henry, who has missed the past three games for team- and NFL-ordered discipline.
"We're assuming that he will [play]," Mora said of Henry. "It's going to be a real challenge for our whole group."
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