nesday 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 t

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 Cheap Atlanta Falcons Jerseys . Mats Zuccarello and Derek Stepan scored shootout goals, and backup goalie Cam Talbot earned his second win in two nights as the Rangers shook off a late tying tally and beat the Maple Leafs 2-1 Monday night. Authentic Deadrin Senat Jersey . 24 Baylor in a Big 12 clash between teams trending in opposite directions. 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Derbyshire have signed Luis Reece, the top-order Lancashire batsman, on a two-year deal.He becomes the first signing since Kim Barnetts appointment as director of cricket came with the avowed intent to switch some expenditure away from coaches to strengthen the playing staff.Reece was named as Lancashires young player of the year in 2013 as they secured promotion to Division One, hitting 722 runs at an average of 55, but he struggled to adjust to the standards of Division One and was affected by injury.He gradually fell from favour as the likes of Haseeb Hameed gained prominence.During a four-year stint with Lancashire, he made 30 appearances across all three formats, scoring 1,235 runs at an average of 31. He also offers a left-arm option with the ball and has taken 22 wickets at senior level.Barnett said: Luis is a very talented batsman, in both red and white ball cricket, and is also an improving left-arm seam bowler.He had limited opportunities at Lancashire over the last few seasons, mainly due to injury, but when called upon he performed to a high level and shown his abilities.This is a fresh start for Luis and provides him with a chance to show us what he can do. He will further strengthen our line-up and provide us with another option at the top of the order.Reece, 26, said: IIm grateful to Derbyshire for providing me with this opportunity.dddddddddddd Speaking to the Club, they have exciting ambitions for the years ahead and I cant wait to get started.Derbyshire have some ground to make up. They finished bottom in Division Two of the Championship without a win and failed to progress in both limited-overs competitions.Born in Taunton, Reece first played for Lancashire Second XI in 2007 at the age of 17, and was offered a place on the Red Rose Academy in the following year. He was however, not initially offered professional terms at Lancashire, and moved to university in Leeds where his cricket career began to pick up pace.Most notably, he claimed 7 for 21 against Sussex, and at one stage had the incredible figures of 5 for from five overs. His batting form in 2013 saw him narrowly miss out on a place on the England Performance Programme. He began 2014 with great optimism, representing MCC in the Champion County match in Abu Dhabi, but injury - including a broken hand when he thumped a dressing room door during a difficult personal period - and poor form intervened and he was released by Lancashire at the end of the 2016 season. ' ' '