Ben Garland ready to make his first NFL start

8/26/17 - Atlanta, GA - Atlanta Falcons offensive guard Ben Garland (63). The first game in Mercedes-Benz Stadium was Saturday, as the Atlanta Falcons played Arizona in an exhibition game.. BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

Falcons guard Ben Garland is set to make his first NFL start against the Saints at 8:25 p.m. Thursday at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Starting left guard Andy Levitre is out for the Saints game and could miss two to three weeks.

“It’s great to be able to have the opportunity to go in,” Garland said.

One of the keys to the Falcons’ success during their run to the Super Bowl last season was that they started the same offensive line for all 19 games.

With Garland set to start, this will be the third different combination of starters. Right tacke Ryan Schrader missed two games (Detroit and Buffalo) with a concussion. Ty Sambrailo started at right tackle.

Garland, 29, lost the starting right guard battle with Wes Scheitzer in the exhibition season, but said he’s ready to flip over to the left side of the line.

“I’ve been repping it so much, I’m used to left guard,” Garland said.

Garland he’s not doing anything special to get ready for his first NFL start.

“Just study like I do every week to play the game and study their players,” Garland said.

He’s been impressed with the Saints’ tackles during his film study.

“They have a really good team obviously,” Garland said. “I think their defense has really improved from previous years. They are playing really well right now.”