"I felt good about being out there practicing," Coleman said. "I'm excited about being out there on Sunday."

Coleman was injured while breaking up a pass intended for San Diego's Malcom Floyd. The play stopped the Chargers' last drive.

Coleman didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday, the big game-plan days in the NFL. He's planning on being ready for Sunday's game against the Saints if he doesn't experience any setbacks.

"They are a great team at home," Coleman said. "Drew Brees and his crew are on point every week. We have a big challenge in front of us."

Coleman played a starring role in the Falcons' 34-20 victory over the Saints on Nov. 9. He intercepted a deep pass intended for Devery Henderson on the first play of the game.

It will be important for the Falcons to have Coleman back against the Saints, who have the No. 1 offense (405.3 yards per game) and passing offense (316.9) in the league.

Running back Reggie Bush didn't play against in Atlanta because of a knee injury. He returned last week against Tampa Bay and will have an expanded role against the Falcons, New Orleans coach Sean Payton said.

"Bush can make a 2-yard pass go 80 at any given time," Coleman said. "It's going to be important that all of us are aware of where he is and that we all get to the ball."

Punting prowess

Falcons punter Michael Koenen is averaging 39.8 yards (30th in the league) on his punts after averaging 43.5 yards (fifth) last season.

But Koenen is ranked in the top 10 in two key punting statistics.

He has placed 20 punts inside the opponents' 20-yard line, which is 10th in the league.

Koenen is a big hang-time kicker. While his soaring kicks lack distance, he has forced teams into 19 fair catches, the third most in the league.

"It's great to have the big yards and that says a lot, but sometimes that's just not how things go," Koenen said.

With the offense struggling, Koenen punted 88 times last season. He has punted 44 times this year.

"Oftentimes the punters are victims of field position," Falcons coach Mike Smith said.

"They could be kicking on a short field. That's a tribute to our offense being able to knock the ball off the goal line."

Anderson update

Defensive end Jamaal Anderson appeared to turn the corner when he registered two sacks and two passes defensed in games against Chicago and Philadelphia.

He hasn't had a sack in the past five games, however, and hasn't had more than two tackles overall.

"He's moving around and working the other side," defensive line coach Ray Hamilton said.

"We're just working with some basic pass rush techniques with him. He's getting around the quarterback a lot also."

Hamilton wants Anderson to finish better on his rushes.

"He's a guy who should have had a lot more sacks also. He's got to get there and finish on the quarterback," Hamilton said.

"But he's doing better and is getting around the quarterback better. Sacks come in bunches. He has to just keep plugging away."

Moore on a roll

Saints wide receiver Lance Moore, a former free agent and practice squad player from Toledo, is having a breakout year.

He has scored six touchdowns in the past five games. He set a team record last week when he caught a touchdown pass for the fifth consecutive game.