The Sports Xchange

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — When Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Roddy White was catchless against the Cowboys in Dallas Sunday, it increased his new streak.

White went into Week Two with at least one catch in 130 consecutive regular-season games. He left Sunday’s Week Three game, a 39-28l win at Dallas, with a new streak — two straight without a catch.

Through three games, White was targeted nine times, eight of them in the season opener.

White did help set up the Falcons’ first touchdown against the Cowboys by drawing a defensive holding penalty on Dallas cornerback Morris Claiborne. Running back Devonta Freeman scored on a 3-yard run on the subsequent play.

White also had a 17-yard catch nullified by a penalty.

After the streak was broken in Week Two, Quarterback Matt Ryan said this was more because of a reaction to the defense and not a knock on White.

“He’s going to make a lot of plays for us,” Ryan said. “You hate seeing something like that not continue, primarily because I love Roddy. It stinks, but the game kind of shakes out. Coverage kind of dictates where it goes. He’ll be a huge part of what we do all year.”

But that apparently wasn’t the case against the Cowboys.

–Wide receiver Julio Jones credited offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan with his 45-yard touchdown catch against Dallas.

Shanahan noticed on film that Dallas cornerback Tyler Patmon likes to shade his coverage to the outside. The long touchdown was a play that made it look as if Jones would go outside. Instead he came across the field with Patmon giving chase.

“Kyle, man, he’s a genius,” Jones said. “He draws it up and we go execute. … Kyle drew it up like he’s going to play outside. He played me outside. I crossed his face and that was it.

“Kyle did a great job of moving me around in the second half, putting me inside. They didn’t have an answer for it.”

Falcons tight end Jacob Tamme, who caught one pass for 8 yards Sunday against the Cowboys, is on the league’s concussion protocol, coach Dan Quinn said on Monday.

Tamme played 12 of the 74 plays (16 percent) before leaving the game. He was replaced in the lineup by Levine Toilolo. Tamme may not be available to play against Houston at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Georgia Dome.

Fullback Pat DiMarco was used in some formations as a backup tight end. Tight end Marcel Jensen is on the practice squad.

Toilolo is the next tight end in line and said he’s ready to step-in for Tamme

“Absolutely, you still prepare the same way,” Toilolo said. “I think we do a good job of rotating throughout the week. We’ve been getting good reps, with just the two of us. If that’s the plan, you just keep doing what you’re doing and adjust.”

Toilolo, a fourth-round pick in the 2013 draft, started all 16 games last season. He caught 31 passes on 54 targets for 238 yards and two touchdowns.

He has just three targets this season and has caught two passes. He’s been used mostly as a blocking tight end.

Toilolo caught a two-point conversion against the Cowboys to help the Falcons close their deficit to three points 28-25 during their furious 25-point rally.

“Honestly, I don’t think anyone covered me,” Toilolo said. “So, that was the best look we could have (received). It was like playing pitch-and-catch.”

Toilolo said he’s ready if the Falcons are ready to throw him some more passes.

“Anytime that the ball comes your way, even if it’s a run play to your side, you take great pride in trying to help the team out,” Toilolo said. “Whenever you get that chance, it’s great to be able to help out the team.”

–Rookie defensive end Vic Beasley, drafted in the first round to help improve the pass rush, turned in his first really meaningful sack of his career. With the Falcons holding a 32-28 lead, the Cowboys were trying to rally. On third-and-3 from Dallas’ 27-yard line, Beasley came off the edge to tackle quarterback Brandon Weeden for a sack to force a punt. It was Beasley’s second sack of the season. He also had one last week against the Giants.