Falcons’ Holmes Gets First Start Against Bengals

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) – The matchup to watch in the Falcons-Bengals preseason opener will be Atlanta right tackle Lamar Holmes against Cincinnati defensive end Robert Geathers.

Holmes will start after Mike Johnson dislocated his left ankle and broke his left leg in Tuesday’s practice. Johnson will have surgery next week.

Falcons coach Mike Smith said Wednesday it’s too early to rule Johnson out for the season.

Holmes played in only one game as a rookie last season after missing training camp with a foot injury. Geathers, entering his 10th season, will be a tough test for Holmes in Thursday night’s game.

Undrafted rookie Ryan Schraeder will play behind Holmes.

Most starters, including Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton and Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, are expected to see only limited playing time.