— The Atlanta Falcons will be searching for the final piece of the offensive line charged with protecting Matt Ryan when they open their preseason schedule at the New York Jets.

Right guard is the only position on the line without a set starter Darius Leonard Jersey , and that will be a key competition coach Dan Quinn will be watching closely in Friday night’s game.

Decisions also have to be made at fullback and defensive end.

Protecting Ryan, the 2016 NFL MVP with a new five-year contract extension that could be worth as much as $150 million, makes finding the best starting right guard a priority.

Wes Schweitzer was listed ahead of Brandon Fusco, perhaps Atlanta’s top free-agent acquisition this offseason, at right guard on the team’s first depth chart released this week. The two have rotated with the first-team offense during training camp.

Schweitzer’s expected start against the Jets may be based on his 16 starts with Atlanta last season.

Fusco started all 16 games for San Francisco last season.

“I just want to build continuity with everyone, get comfortable with everyone and with this offense,” Fusco said following Wednesday’s practice.

“I miss the game-day feeling and will be excited when I’m out there. Hopefully it’s enough to prove to them I can be the starter of this team at right guard and help this team win.”

Schweitzer said this has been “the best camp I’ve ever had, definitely the best offensive camp I’ve ever been a part of. I feel we’re really clicking right now and really pushing for it. It’s just been a really good camp.”

Ricky Ortiz is expected to start ahead of Luke McNitt at fullback. The remaining competitions on offense are for backup roles, including a third running back behind Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman. Candidates include rookie Ito Smith and Terrence Magee.

Coach Dan Quinn also is looking at tight ends competing behind projected starter Austin Hooper. Eric Saubert, a fifth-round pick in 2017 who had no catches as a rookie, has impressed the coach in camp.

“He’s somebody who certainly has our attention at tight end Jay Novacek Jersey ,” Quinn said Wednesday.

“He’s really turning into the pass-catching tight end that I’d hoped we would see. … He’s long, he’s fast and I now see the athlete.”

Quinn said Saubert (6-5, 253) is more confident in his second season. He said Saubert pressed as a rookie and “wasn’t allowing himself to be the athlete that he is.”

The Falcons did not re-sign tight end Levine Toilolo, who is now with Detroit. Veteran Logan Paulsen is best known for his blocking skills. That leaves an opening for Saubert to emerge as another target for quarterback Matt Ryan.

Saubert must do more than show his skills as a receiver. All players competing for backup spots, including at running back and tight end, must prove they can contribute on special teams.

Second-year defensive end Takkarist McKinley , trying to earn a starting role, is expected to play after being limited for about a week with a bruised right shoulder. McKinley returned for full participation on Tuesday and Wednesday.

“He was good,” Quinn said. “What I was looking for, like with any guy, was there any hesitancy? He had none. So he responded the right way and was chomping at the bit to get back.”

NOTES: LG Andy Levitre and his wife Cody Kessler Jersey , Katie, who carried pink and blue balloons, had a unique baby gender reveal following practice. With players standing around the couple, Levitre held a sign that said “A Gatorade shower will let us see.” Other offensive linemen poured two coolers filled with the blue sports drink over Levitre’s head — so he and his wife are expecting a boy. Players then cheered. … Quinn confirmed PK Matt Bryant (undisclosed injury) and OT Ty Sambrailo (right hand) will not play against the Jets. “We’ll get them back into the fold next week,” Quinn said.

Nelson Cruz wasn’t available, so Kyle Seager assumed the role of big bopper for the Seattle Mariners.

And what a job he did.

Seager homered and hit a pivotal two-run single in the eighth inning to back a fine pitching performance by James Paxton and help Seattle beat the Baltimore Orioles 3-2 Tuesday night.

Cruz, who leads the team with 20 home runs, was a late scratch with lower back tightness. Seager took over at cleanup and accounted for all the Mariners runs.

”Couple of coaches felt going into the game that Seags was going to be our guy,” manager Scott Servais said. ”Sometimes guys have to step up. We had the right guy at the right time.”

Though Seager came through in a pinch, he knows his place in the lineup isn’t cleanup.

”No, I don’t think that’s a good idea Jacoby Brissett Jersey ,” Seager said. ”I like when Mr. Nelson is in there.”

Paxton (7-2) struck out 10 over seven innings, allowing two runs and six hits. It was the sixth time this season he’s reached double figures in strikeouts.

The Mariners came to town with six losses in seven games, and now they’ve won two in a row to open a four-game series against the team with the worst record in the majors.

”We’re supposed to come in here and beat this team,” Paxton said. ”We’re doing a good job so far.”

Alex Colome worked the eighth and Edwin Diaz got three outs for his big league-best 29th save.

Seattle trailed 2-1 before rallying against the weary Baltimore bullpen.

Dee Gordon led off the eighth with a double and Jean Segura got his third hit of the game on a bunt down the third-base line. Orioles reliever Darren O’Day (0-2) hurt himself trying to field the ball and was replaced by Tanner Scott, who walked Mitch Haniger before Seager hit a liner to center.

O’Day’s injury was a troublesome hamstring that has been bothering him for weeks and will likely land him on the disabled list.

”Yeah, it’s frustrating,” the right-hander said. ”I was throwing well and helping the team.”

In the fourth inning, Seager hit his 14th home run to offset a second-inning solo shot by Danny Valencia.

It was still 1-1 in the sixth when Baltimore used three straight singles to load the bases for Manny Machado with no outs. The three-time All-Star bounced into a 4-6-3 double-play, breaking into a trot long before he reached first base.

”Usually, when a ball is hit that firmly it’s a pretty easy double play,” manager Buck Showalter said. ”He just took his time and Manny allowed him to take more time than he normally would. It’ll be addressed.”

Kevin Gausman gave up one run and five hits in six innings. He left with a 2-1 lead Kyle Williams Jersey , but the bullpen gave it away, leaving Gausman winless in eight starts since May 11.

THE BARBER OF SEATTLE

Servais may soon be sporting a different look, thanks to a bet he made with Diaz earlier this season. Servais said he would get waves identical to the ones Diaz has shaved into the side of his head if the closer notched 50 saves this season. ”I’m looking forward to the day; others in my family are more concerned,” Servais said of the potential haircut.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Mariners: C Mike Zunino was back in the starting lineup after missing Monday’s game with a sore thumb.

Orioles: Showalter said after the game that OF Craig Gentry sustained a rib injury after being hit by a pitch and will be placed on the disabled list. … RHP Dylan Bundy was placed on the DL with a sprained left ankle. He’s expected to be back on July 6. … RHP Chris Tillman (back) will take his rehabilitation assignment to Triple-A Norfolk after allowing two runs in 3 1/3 innings for Class A Delmarva on Monday.

UP NEXT

Mariners: LHP Wade LeBlanc (3-0, 3.26 ERA) starts on Wednesday night. He is 1-2 with a 4.50 ERA in four lifetime appearances against Baltimore.

Orioles: Alex Cobb (2-9, 6.56) has gone seven innings in each of his last two starts after yielding nine runs and 11 hits in 3 2/3 innings against Toronto on June 10.

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