Falcons QB Ryan limited in practice

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan was a limited participant in practice Wednesday, and it is uncertain if he will start at New Orleans this weekend.

A sprained right ankle forced Ryan to miss his first game since 2009, snapping a streak of 163 consecutive starts, when Atlanta lost to Seattle two weeks ago.

“I’m feeling a little bit better every day,” Ryan said. “When you have something like this, you just try and focus on daily improvement and trying to get back to yourself as fast as possible.”

Coming off a bye week, the Falcons (1-7) returned to practice as they prepare to face the Saints (7-1) on Sunday. Ryan is trying to help his teammates stay focused on preparing for this game and not try to salvage the season in one week.

Atlanta is riding a sixgame losing streak, its longest since coach Dan Quinn’s first season in 2015.

If Ryan can’t play, Matt Schaub will make his second straight start.

Hoyer may start for Colts

Brian Hoyer has suited up for seven different franchises and made starts with five different teams. Now the 34-year-old veteran is preparing to make his 38th career start on Sunday, this time for the Indianapolis Colts. Hoyer was pressed into service when Jacoby Brissett went down with an injured left knee against Pittsburgh on Sunday.

Brissett was limited in practice Wednesday with a sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee, giving Hoyer his first significant practice snaps. No decision has yet been made about whether to start Brissett or Hoyer, who was released by New England at the end of the preseason.

Jets’ Bell likely to play Sunday

The New York Jets dodged an injury scare with Le’Veon Bell. The star running back is a bit banged up, but the team is optimistic he’ll be able to play Sunday against the New York Giants.

Bell sat out practice Wednesday with ankle and knee soreness, a day after an MRI revealed no structural damage. He was injured late during New York’s 26-18 loss at Miami on Sunday. He never left the game and Gase didn’t know Bell’s knee or ankle were bothering him until Monday, when Bell missed a meeting to have tests.

Also

New York Giants leading receiver Evan Engram has a sprained left foot, and his status for Sunday’s game against the Jets is uncertain. ... The Minnesota Vikings have claimed safety Andrew Sendejo off waivers from Philadelphia . ... Cleveland Browns starting safety Damarious Randall has returned to practice after missing two games with a hamstring injury . ... Police in a Dallas said Cowboys defensive lineman Daniel Ross has been arrested on charges of possession of marijuana and unlawful carrying of a weapon.