FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — It looks more and more as if the Falcons will not have starting FB Ovie Mughelli for Sunday night’s home game against the Bears.

Mughelli missed his second day of practice Thursday because of a left calf injury, and his return to practice Friday is questionable, Falcons coach Mike Smith said. Mughelli, the lead blocker for RB Michael Turner, sported a walking book in the locker room and walked with a significant limp.

If Mughelli can’t play, backup Verron Haynes could be used. The Falcons also could employ one-back packages in which a tight end/H-back would be used in a fullback-type role.

Smith said he has no hard rule that if a player doesn’t practice, then he can’t play, adding that if Mughelli is cleared by game time, he could suit up. Even so, Mughelli sounded pessimistic about his chances of facing the Bears.

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