Pro Sports

GREEN BAY, Wis. — As a rookie quarterback playing right away for a team that ranked among the league's worst last season, Matt Ryan was expected to take his licks in 2008.

But four games into the season, Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons (2-2) have taken big steps toward helping people forget Michael Vick and Bobby Petrino.

Ryan has a chance to add a high-profile road win to his resume in today's game against the Green Bay Packers (2-2) at Lambeau Field. The Packers have lost two straight and are reeling from injuries.

"The season's long and there's going to be bumps and bruises for everybody as you go through the season," Ryan said. "But I still think they're very talented in the secondary."

But much of that talent will be on the sideline or not playing at 100 percent.

Cornerback Al Harris is out indefinitely with a spleen injury, and defensive lineman Cullen Jenkins was placed on injured reserve this week with a chest injury.

Linebacker A.J. Hawk has a groin injury, cornerback Charles Woodson continues to play with a broken toe and the Packers' three best safeties are listed on the injury report this week.

And Ryan might be the most experienced quarterback on the field Sunday. Packers starter Aaron Rodgers sprained his right shoulder in the Packers' loss at Tampa Bay last week, and it is unclear whether he will start today. If he can't, the Packers will start backup Matt Flynn, a seventh-round pick out of LSU.

who beat out more-heralded rookie Brian Brohm in training camp.

Ryan has completed 67.7 percent of his passes at home.