FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Atlanta Falcons coach Dan Quinn ruled out starting cornerback Robert Alford for Sunday's game against Washington as Alford recovers from an ankle injury.
Quinn also ruled out kicker Matt Bryant, who will miss a second consecutive game due to a right hamstring injury.
Rookie Isaiah Oliver will start in place of Alford, while Giorgio Tavecchio will handle the kicking duties for Bryant. Tavecchio earned the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honor for his performance in a Week 7 win over the New York Giants, which included a career-long 56-yard field goal.