Reeves Gets More Involved With Falcons for This One

Atlanta Falcon Coach Dan Reeves, who underwent quadruple bypass heart surgery Dec. 14 and returned to the sidelines last week in a limited role, said Friday in Minneapolis he anticipates being able to contribute more in Sunday’s NFC championship game against the Vikings at the Metrodome.

“It shouldn’t be much different, but I feel more qualified because I’ve been able to look at more film and inject more,” said Reeves, who let quarterback coach Jack Burns call plays last week and changed only three or four calls. “I’ve been getting to the office around 8 and leaving at around 9 or 10. That’s a little bit less than what I was doing [before his heart problem] and if I hadn’t had it, I would have put in more time than that.

“I’ve been relying on my coaches a lot, and they’ve done a great job. It makes you feel much more comfortable when you’re knowledgeable and you know what’s going on.”

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Viking wide receiver Jake Reed was put on the inactive list because of a hamstring injury. His place in the Vikings’ three-wide receiver sets will be taken Sunday by Matthew Hatchette, who caught 15 passes for 216 yards this season.

Safety Orlando Thomas (hamstring) will play, as will all-pro defensive tackle John Randle, who wore a brace in practice to protect an injured knee.