Coach Mike Smith isn't saying who'll be backing up Matt Ryan this season. (US Presswire)

Most of Atlanta’s starters are set for Sunday’s game at Kansas City, but who’ll be starting at right guard is anyone’s guess. That’s the most pivotal position battle yet to be made public because of the concerns the Falcons have with protecting Matt Ryan. 

“Not only with our veteran group, but truly focusing and working with our young group in attempting to develop a group of players that are going to be here for a long time protecting Matt Ryan,” Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff told Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal Constitution. 

The competition comes down to Garrett Reynolds, a fourth-year player who started seven games last year at the position, and rookie Peter Konz out of Wisconsin. Both have played well throughout the exhibition season. Konz saw action with the first team throughout the final two exhibition games but just five days before the regular season opener, coach Mike Smith has declined to name a starter. 

“At the end of the game on Sunday, we’ll see,” Smith said. “I’m not going to discuss it simply because I’m not going to give a competitive advantage to our opponent.”

Smith returned to that phrase Monday when questioned about the other two lingering positions, punt returner and backup quarterback. 

The Falcons released CB Dominique Franks last week to cut the roster to 53 but Franks had returned about half of the punts in the preseason. Instead, the guess is that they’ll rely on Tim Toone, the third-year WR from Weber State. 

Smith had said during the preseason that the fifth WR (in this case Toone) would play a major role on special teams. Toone figures to be the punt returner after splitting duties with Franks. 

In terms of backup quarterback, Smith again declined to shed light on the depth at the position. Luke McCown was signed by the Falcons due in part to his familiarity with new offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter, whom he worked with in Jacksonville. 

“I think that Luke’s got the experience to be a No. 2 player in this league and with our team," Smith said. "In terms of right now, who we would go with as the No 2 quarterback I’m not going to say simply because it does no good for us.” 

Rookie free agent Dominique Davis is listed as the backup on the Falcons’ depth chart but just who would see action should Matt Ryan get hurt isn't clear. The Falcons are content for now to let the Chiefs keep guessing.

For more Falcons coverage, follow Mike Singer @CBSSportsNFLATL.