THE SIDELINES : Agent Says Illness Put Falcons’ Casillas in AWOL Ranks Again

Atlanta Falcons nose tackle Tony Casillas, who missed most of training camp during a contract dispute, is missing again.

Casillas missed Sunday’s 44-24 loss to the Rams in Anaheim after failing to catch the team flight and did not show up today at the Falcons’ training complex for club meetings.

“I haven’t seen him,” said Atlanta Coach Jerry Glanville, who had said Sunday he would not comment on Casillas’ absence until he had spoken to the five-year veteran.

Casillas’ agent, John Maloney, said the player missed the team’s charter flight to Los Angeles on Saturday after he became ill on his way to the airport.

“From what I understand, Lisa (Casillas’ wife) was driving Tony to the airport Saturday, he got sick and they had to pull off the road,” Maloney said Sunday. “He still tried to make the flight, but he was too late.”

Casillas could not be reached for comment today despite several attempts to contact him. Maloney was not in his San Francisco office today, according to a secretary.

Casillas led the NFL in tackles by an interior lineman last season with 152.