Mohamed Sanu expected to play Sunday, despite shoulder injury

The Atlanta Falcons expect wide receiver Mohamed Sanu to be available Sunday against the Carolina Panthers, a team source told ESPN's Ed Werder.

Sanu suffered a shoulder injury in the first half against the New Orleans Saints on Monday night and couldn't return to the game. Falcons coach Dan Quinn said Tuesday that Sanu will be limited in practice this week and categorized his injury as a day-to-day situation.

Sanu had three catches for 31 yards before his injury. He has 11 catches for 130 yards and a touchdown in his first season with Atlanta after signing with the team as a free agent.

Quarterback Matt Ryanappeared to hurt his left thumb in the fourth quarter after being sacked by Nick Fairley. Quinn said Tuesday that Ryan was checked out after the game and is fine to play Sunday at home against Carolina.

When Ryan returned to the game, he was wearing a glove on his left hand.

"I took a hit on it in the game, but I'm fine," Ryan said after Monday's 45-32 victory at New Orleans. "Put a glove on just to make sure I'd get a good grip afterwards. But I'm fine. I feel pretty good."

Ryan hasn't missed a game because of injury since the 2009 season, when he was sidelined with turf toe.

He is fourth in the NFL with 970 passing yards this season and has completed 70.9 percent of his pass attempts (73 of 103) with seven touchdowns and just one interception.

ESPN's Vaughn McClure contributed to this report.