Falcons guard Zane Beadles running with first team in Wednesday’s practice

The Atlanta Falcons promised some potential changes to the offensive line for the rest of the year, and we may have one brewing now.

Jason Butt with The Athletic noticed that Falcons OL Zane Beadles was taking reps on the right side of the first-string line at guard.

If this is the case, the team is, at the least, getting a feel for how Beadles would do at the spot. At the most, they could be planning to sit Ben Garland, the current starter on that side of the line.

Garland has flashed aplenty through starting reps with the team, though he’s prone to dips in play. He’s always been one of the team’s most reliable reserves in the Dan Quinn era, though perhaps the team feels that’s where he’s best suited.

Nothing’s set in stone, but this could be our first hint that Beadles will get starting reps Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens, who have a dangerous interior defensive line. For the record, Ryan is comfortable with Beadles.

The team’s running game has faltered down the stretch, so that could be a big reason as to why the change could be made, outside of the obvious “keep Matt Ryan healthy” part of pass protection.

There’s no firm confirmation that Garland has been indeed replaced for the interim, but the reps for Beadles do make you wonder what the starting lineup will be this week.

In the future, it’s still probably going to be Brandon Fusco’s job to come back to next fall. For now, it looks like the Falcons are going to try out a new face at right guard, at least in practice.

If he ends up starting at kickoff Sunday, he’ll be one of the main players to watch.