INJURY REPORT: Return of Babineaux, Nicholas could boost defense

FLOWERY BRANCH – The Falcons defense could receive a boost with the return Babineaux  of defensive starters Jonathan Babineaux and Stephen Nicholas for their NFC showdown with the Green Bay Packers at 8:20 p.m. Sunday at the Georgia Dome. Babineaux, Nicholas and running back Jason Snelling returned to practice on Wednesday. Babineaux, a defensive tackle, suffered a partially torn medial collateral ligament in his left knee in the season-opener against Chicago on Sept. 11. His presence has been missed. The defense has not recorded a sack in the three games that he’s been out. Here, Stephen Nicholas (54) is flying over the top of the pile of Falcons as they stop the 49ers' Frank Gore (21) in the first quarter. Johnny Crawford / jcrawford@ajc.com Nicholas, a linebacker, suffered a calf injury in practice on Sept. 23 and has missed the last two games. He has seven tackles and one forced fumble. Snelling missed the Seattle game with a concussion. Wide receiver Roddy White …