FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- The Atlanta Falcons returned to practice Wednesday tied for the lead in the NFC South and all banged-up for the final month of the regular season.Coming off a disheartening loss to Kansas City, the Falcons (7-5) hit the field without top receiver Julio Jones and two other starters who were injured against the Chiefs.Jones is bothered by turf toe, left tackle Jake Matthews has a knee problem, and receiver Mohamed Sanu is slowed by a sore groin.On top of that, defensive end Adrian Clayborn is definitely out for Sundays game against the Los Angeles Rams and will likely miss several more weeks with a knee injury -- if he returns at all this season. The Falcons already lost their best defender, cornerback Desmond Trufant, to a season-ending pectoral injury.Thats the important part of having depth, coach Dan Quinn said. If youre called upon, youre here for a reason.Quinn said hes hopeful Jones, who has battled nagging injuries all season, will be able to practice Thursday and play against the Rams. Since a broken foot cost him most of the 2013 season, the receiver has missed only one game.Hes somebody that does a good job taking care of his body, Quinn said. He has a real ability to push it to get back. I know if hes able to, he certainly will.Even though turf toe is a painful condition that can lead to major issues, the coach stressed he doesnt think Jones case is that serious.This is something hes going to respond to quickly, the coach said. Its not a long-term thing hes going to be dealing with.As for Matthews and Sanu, Quinn said he would monitor their condition through the rest of the week and hopes they will be able to play against the Rams (4-8).Matthews went out in the first half of last weeks game. The trainers put a sleeve over his left knee, and he went through some running and cutting drills on the sideline to test it out.But Matthews headed to the locker room before halftime and didnt return. Tom Compton, a fourth-year player, got his first significant action of the season protecting quarterback Matt Ryans blind side.Compton turned in a solid performance, but the Falcons cant afford to lose Matthews for an extended period. The No. 6 overall pick in 2014, he had stepped up his play significantly this season.Jakes really playing at a high level, Quinn said. You can see it his pass protection. You can see it in the run game. His play took a significant jump from 2015 to 2016.Clayborn underwent surgery to repair a torn medial collateral ligament shortly after being hurt in a Nov. 27 game against Arizona. Quinn hasnt ruled out a return this season, but the Falcons moved to bolster their depth on the defensive line by bringing back Malliciah Goodman.A fourth-round pick in 2013, Goodman appeared in 34 games, including 11 starts, before he was cut in September near the end of training camp. He played one game this season at Seattle.The Falcons also promoted offensive lineman Kevin Graf from the practice squad in case Matthews isnt able to play Sunday. To make room on the roster for two new players, Atlanta waived defensive lineman Cliff Matthews and center Trevor Robinson.While there were no immediate moves to address the injuries to Jones and Sanu, Quinn noted hes got two receivers on the practice squad, Nick Williams and J.D. McKissic. Thats where Atlanta would turn if necessary.The Falcons have led the NFC South much of the season, but now theyve got company in the top spot. Tampa Bay (7-5) has won four straight to pull into a tie with Atlanta, which has lost two of its last three games.A year ago, the Falcons collapsed down the stretch after starting 6-1. They finished 8-8 and missed the playoffs for the third year in a row.---Follow Paul Newberry on Twitter at www.twitter.com/pnewberry1963 . His work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/content/paul-newberry .---For more NFL coverage: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Custom Bears Jersey Cheap . Coach Tom Thibodeau says the former MVP will probably start travelling with the team in the next few weeks. Rose tore the meniscus in his right knee at Portland in November and was ruled out for the remainder of the season by the Bulls. Khalil Mack Orange Bears Jersey . -- Eastern Kentucky thrives off creating havoc for others. http://www.chicagobearsshoponline.com/william-perry-bears-jersey.html . -- Aldon Smith believes he is on the path to being sober for good. Mike Ditka Bears Jersey . The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the Lions have not announced the hiring, which was first reported by ESPN. Lombardi, the grandson of former Green Bay Hall of Fame coach Vince Lombardi, has been an offensive assistant on Sean Paytons New Orleans staff since 2007. Chicago Bears Apparel Clearance . -- Running backs Darren McFadden and Rashad Jennings were back at practice for the Oakland Raiders on Wednesday despite being hampered by hamstring injuries. SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Joe Pavelski figured if the extra goal wasnt going to come, then the Sharks needed extra defense. Martin Jones happily obliged.Logan Couture and Joel Ward scored in the first period and San Jose gave the Chicago Blackhawks their second straight loss with a 2-1 victory on Wednesday night.Guys are competing, Pavelski said. Were coming back, were doing a lot of good things in the D zone. You just keep playing. It will break a little bit but if it doesnt break well keep trying to win like this.Artemi Panarin scored for the Blackhawks, who have back-to-back losses for the first time since opening the season 0-2. They also fell to the Oilers 5-0 on Monday night.Jones, who had his 15th career shutout Monday, stopped 33 shots for his 10th win of the year.It was great. Thats a tough team to play against defensively, and we did a great job, Jones said. Limiting them to what we did tonight was pretty impressive and especially the last two minutes, just not even letting them set up in the zone. That was a great job by everybody.Corey Crawford saved 33 shots for the Blackhawks, who entered with points in 10 of their last 12 games against San Jose.Both goalies were excellent, Sharks coach Peter DeBoer said. A lot of skill, a lot of speed, a lot of plays being made, a lot of great players. It was a good hockey game. I thought we had some opportunities to maybe extend the lead and put them away and Crawford made some saves. But it was a great hockey game.Chicago captain Jonathan Toews left with an unspecified injury following the second period. He leads the league with 292 faceoff wins and had a game-high eight after two periods.Its tough when guys go down, especially in the middle of the game, Blackhawks Brent Seabrook said. Its like youre playing short-handed. Hes a big part of this team. He plays in every aspect of the game.dddddddddddd.The Sharks scored twice in the first period for the second consecutive game, getting a power-play goal from Couture at 11:32 and a short-handed goal from Ward three minutes later.Couture, who scored for the third time in four games after netting three goals over his first 16, beat Crawford to the glove side after taking a sharp pass from Pavelski.Chris Tierney, from behind the net, threw the puck down the center of the ice and Ward got the jump on Seabrook, who slipped going after the puck. Ward patiently worked the puck deep and got Crawford on the ice for an easy tap in.I made a huge error on that one by not coming out, Crawford said. I was a little flat-footed and I didnt read it well. I should have played the puck. I wasnt patient enough on that one.The Blackhawks responded with a goal in the second period. Niklas Hjalmarsson dug out the puck from along the boards and flipped a pass to a streaking Artem Anisimov, who found Panarin. The second-year wing clanked the puck off the right side post and into the net.Crawford, who has allowed 13 goals in his last four games, was a rock over the final 45 minutes, though Jones was also up to the task.Game notes Pavelski has points in each of his last four games. ... The Sharks have recorded a short-handed goal in two straight. ... Hjalmarsson recorded his 12th point in 26 games against the Sharks. ... Anisimov claimed his second point over his last seven games after scoring in each of his previous 11.UP NEXTBlackhawks: Complete their seven-game trip with back-to-back games at the Anaheim Ducks on Friday and Los Angeles Kings on Saturday.Sharks: Continue their homestand with a game against the New York Islanders on Friday. ' ' '