Falcons WR White says he expects to play on Sunday against the Seahawks

Jan 13, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Roddy White (84) makes a catch against Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (25) during the first quarter of the NFC divisional playoff game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Roddy White said on Thursday that he expects to play on Sunday against the Seahawks, according to Vaughn McClure, the Falcons beat writer at at ESPN.com.

According to McClure, White made this statement:

"“I’m pretty sure I’m going to be out there Sunday,” White said. “You know, I wanted to get out there and have a full week of practice before I actually played in a game. This was the first full week that I’m going through. I’ll be ready to play.”"

White has missed the last three games with hamstring and ankle injuries. He was originally slated to return last week against the Carolina Panthers, but decided he wasn’t in good enough health to play.

Though Sunday’s game will mark a rematch of last season’s NFC Divisional playoff game, White denied that the opponent factored into his decision to come back this week.

When asked by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution if a rematch with Seahawks corner Richard Sherman impacted his will to return, he responded:

"“No, not really…I just don’t circle things on the calendar. Every game that I play is the one that is circled throughout the season. There is no one particular game that I go out there and play harder than any other one.”"

The two were involved in a spat in June regarding their placements on NFL Network’s “Top 100 Players of 2013.” According to ESPN.com, Sherman said that White, who was ranked No. 39 on the list, did not deserve to be on the list. White’s response was that Sherman, who was ranked No. 50, “talked his way into being All-Pro.”

In the playoff game that ended the Seahawks season last year, White bested Sherman for most of the game. He had five catches for 76 yards and pulled in a big 47-yard touchdown grab in a game the Falcons eventually won 30-28.

This season, White has 14 catches for 129 yards.

According to the AJC, “White holds franchise records for receptions (636), receiving yards (8,854), 100-yard games (35), receiving yards in a season (1,389), and receptions in a season (115).”