Ray Edwards ‘Ready To Go’ For Falcons

FLOWERY BRANCH, GA – The Falcons will move closer to their elusive goal of putting their first-string defensive line together when defensive end Ray Edwards makes his preseason debut on Saturday night at Pittsburgh.

“I’m ready to go,” he said after Thursday’s practice.

Edwards had 16.5 sacks the last two years with Minnesota before signing a five-year, $30-million deal with Atlanta that includes a guarantee of $11 million. Edwards, the team’s only prominent free-agent addition, was signed to bolster the pass rush after the Falcons ranked 20th in the league with 31 sacks in 2010.

Projected starting defensive tackle Corey Peters will miss the game with a knee injury. Edwards is expected to join tackle Jonathan Babineaux and end John Abraham against the Steelers. Peria Jerry may start at Peters’ tackle spot.