FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Wide receiver Roddy White can place another mark in the cement of Falcons history Sunday with just one more catch and one more yard.
White has 999 receiving yards for the 2007 season. He was just five yards shy of 1,000 entering last week's game at Tampa Bay, but his one catch came up just one yard short. The game also softened an impressive streak for White, who totaled 19 receptions, 325 yards and three touchdowns in three previous games.
That leaves this week's trip to Arizona as the prime opportunity for White to become the first Falcons wideout since 1999 to hit the mark.
Terance Mathis hit the number in 1999 (1,016). The Falcons haven't had two players hit the mark in the same season since 1998, when Tony Martin (1,181) and Mathis (1,136) notched impressive numbers.
White said it's hard to believe he is set to become the first receiver to gain 1,000 yards in a season in nearly a decade, but he understands how a lethal running game -- which the Falcons have possessed for several years leading into 2007 -- may have played a role.
"I knew I was close," White said this week. "I didn't know about the one-yard thing. I thought I got to it but, obviously I didn't. We just have to move on and we're just trying to win a ball game. Hopefully it's something I can accomplish this week."
Atlanta's offense is throwing the ball on more than 50 percent of its plays this year, giving White and his fellow receivers more chances to contribute. Hitting 1,000 yards on the season would be an important step for White in particular. Heading into 2007 White had less than 1,000 yards in two seasons combined. His career high was in 2006 (506). He's since smashed his bests in yards, catches and touchdowns (five).
"Getting over 1,000 yards is kind of getting out of my shell," White said Wednesday. "I just want to continue to get better and hopefully increase my totals every year.
"In this league, when you reach over 1,000, you're in a category with just about 12 to 15 players in the league. Getting over that barrier gives you pretty good status."
White already has a role as one of the team's favorite targets.
No receiver has had more than 64 catches in a season since Mathis' 81 in 1999. White already has 66.
"I'm happy," White said earlier in the season. "I get to go out there and catch eight or nine balls a game... A lot has changed around here and it's more pass oriented. It's kind of got me in the right direction and got my career going in the right direction. "Ever since I got here I've been working hard and I'm going to continue to work hard and get better."
INJURY REPORT: Interim Head Coach Emmitt Thomas said John Abraham returned to practice in a limited role on Thursday and should be ready for Sunday's game at Arizona.
Defensive back Antoine Harris, who has missed the last two games with a knee injury, missed another day of practice Thursday. But he isn't out for Sunday's game just yet.
"We rested him again today and the trainers let us know day-by-day if he's going to be ready or not," Thomas said.
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