Baker was released by the Falcons on Monday. Baker, a first round pick in 2008, has played just nine games over the past two seasons due to injuries in both knees. Upon his release, the veteran offensive tackle will now search for a landing spot ahead of training camp next month.

Baker, who suffered a torn patella tendon during Saturday's preseason game, will miss the entire upcoming season, the Falcons' official website reports. Baker went down during Atlanta's fourth offensive series after suffering the same injury he endured in his other knee four games into the regular season last year. With him out again, rookie first-rounder Jake Matthews is expected to slide over to start at left tackle.

Baker suffered a torn patella tendon during Saturday's preseason game and will likely miss the entire upcoming season, NFL.com reports. Baker went down in the second quarter of Saturday's game and appeared to be in significant pain. Given the extent of his injury, Baker is a near certainty to miss the upcoming campaign. As a result, the Falcons are expected to accelerate the process of shifting rookie first-rounder Jake Matthews to left tackle, where he'll be tasked with protecting quarterback Matt Ryan's blindside.

Baker left Saturday night's game against the Texans with a right knee injury, ESPN.com reports. Baker, who was carted off the field in the second quarter of the contest, was replaced in the game by Lamar Holmes. The report notes that Baker was in obvious pain after suffering the injury, so it looks like the Falcons' left tackle is probably going to miss some time.

Falcons LT Sam Baker (knee surgery) is participating fully at OTAs. Coach Mike Smith observed that Baker moved "extremely well" on the first day of practice. With Baker back on Matt Ryan's blind side, Atlanta's offensive line is shaping up as LT Baker, LG Justin Blalock, C Joe Hawley, RG Jon Asamoah, and RT Jake Matthews. Peter Konz and Lamar Holmes will be reserves.

Falcons LT Sam Baker (knee) expects to be cleared this week. Baker underwent platelet rich plasma treatment on his left knee before undergoing surgery in November and landing on I.R. He appeared in just four games last season. Whether Baker mans left tackle for the Falcons remains to be seen. Atlanta could easily take a left tackle with the No. 6 overall pick or trade up.

Falcons LT Sam Baker underwent platelet rich plasma (PRP) treatment on his left knee, specific to his patellar tendon, before undergoing surgery last season. The Falcons never revealed the full extent of Baker's injury before placing him on I.R. in November, so we're just recording this more for bookkeeping purposes. Baker is entering year two of a six-year, $41.1 million deal he inked last March. The Falcons have said they plan to keep him at left tackle. But one of the big three left tackles will likely be there if the Falcons stick at No. 6 in May's draft.

Coach Mike Smith expects LT Sam Baker (knee, injured reserve) to be ready for the Falcons' offseason program, and says the team has no plans to move him to right tackle. In the first year of a six-year, $41.1 million deal this season, Baker was a nightmare on Matt Ryan's blindside, but the Falcons don't have any better options on the roster. They're going to have a top-10 pick (at least) in May's draft, but it would be highly surprising if they spent it on an offensive tackle. For better or worse, Baker is going to get another shot at left tackle in 2014.

Falcons placed LT Sam Baker on injured reserve with a left knee injury, ending his season. The Falcons have yet to reveal the full extent of Baker's injury, but ESPN's Vaughn McClure reports he's undergoing surgery. Baker had appeared in just one of the Falcons' past five games. The Falcons are moving forward with Lamar Holmes at left tackle. It's not a good situation for Matt Ryan, who has watched almost his entire supporting cast succumb to injury. That being said, Baker was playing extremely poorly before going down. Baker signed a six-year, $41.1 million extension in March. He'll be back in 2014.

Falcons coach Mike Smith is "worried" about the health of LT Sam Baker (knee). Baker was inactive for Sunday's loss, and it doesn't sound like he made much progress during his week off. He's appeared in just one of the Falcons' past five games. It's not outside the realm of possibility that Baker ends up on injured reserve.