Atlanta coach Mike Smith stepped slightly out of character Monday.

Although he stayed with his five-year tradition of saying that he’ll wait to give an injury report Wednesday (when that’s required by league rules), Smith actually gave a little preview of that injury report and it’s pretty significant.

Smith said veteran defensive end John Abraham will practice Wednesday. There had been some concern about Abraham’s status after he injured his ankle in the regular-season finale against Tampa Bay. But Abraham now has had more than a week to rest and the fact Smith is going ahead and saying the defensive end will practice Wednesday makes it sound like Abraham will be ready to play against the Seahawks on Sunday.