Saints OC Pete Carmichael dodged the question when asked if he would be interested in the Boston College job. (US Presswire)

Saints offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael said Wednesday he had not had any contact with Boston College amid reports that he was a candidate for the Golden Eagles’ head coaching job.

“Yesterday I heard it from our PR department [when they] came down and told me about it,” he said. “I have heard nothing from Boston College and there is not even time to think about it this week. It’s a short week, big game for us, so our focus right now is on the Atlanta Falcons.”

The Saints (5-6), trying to stay alive in the NFC wildcard race, play in Atlanta (10-1) on Thursday night. Asked if he would be interested in Boston College, Carmichael dodged the question.

“Listen, right now I haven’t even given it a second thought,” he said. “I just heard about it from Doug [Miller] yesterday and it just went in and out because we have the Atlanta Falcons on a short week and that’s where our focus is.”

Carmichael, 41, was a four-year letterman for Boston College in baseball. He is in his fourth year with the Saints and third as offensive coordinator. The Golden Eagles fired coach Frank Spaziani on Monday after a 2-10 season.

Carmichael said the attention was flattering.

“For a program like that, absolutely,” he said. “Again, [my] focus right now is on Atlanta.”

No official word on Strief: Although OT Zach Strief appears likely to play against Atlanta after missing the last three games with a groin injury, Saints interim coach Joe Vitt was non-committal Wednesday. Strief is listed as questionable on the official injury report, the same status as last week, when he did not play.

“I probably feel about the way I’ve felt all week,” Vitt said. “He’s answered the bell in practice and has looked OK, so we’ll wait and see.”

If Strief cannot play, New Orleans would be down to two tackles -- starting LT Jermon Bushrod and Will Robinson.

What would happen if one of them got hurt, too?

“We have a couple of options but I really don’t feel like talking about those right now,” Vitt said. “That’s why we close our practice.”

Returning to Atlanta: Saints MLB Curtis Lofton will play his first game in the Georgia Dome not in a Falcons’ uniform after spending the first four years of his NFL career with the team.

Lofton handled some pre-game taunting from his ex-teammates well in the first meeting, finishing with five tackle and a deflection in the Saints’ 31-27 win Nov. 11.

“I’ve never been in the visitors’ locker room,” he said. “There are a little mixed feelings, but I’ll be excited for the game. I don’t get nervous. I just want to go out and put my teammates in the best situation.”

Lofton said he still owns a home in Atlanta but is trying to sell it, having bought a house in New Orleans near the Saints’ facility.

“All my stuff is already moved out [of his Atlanta house],” he said. “This is my home down here. I’ve still got good friends there and a lot of relationships that I’ll still go and visit and hang out, but this is my home now.”

Injury report: Five Saints players are definitely out -- DE Junior Galette (sprained ankle), OT Charles Brown (knee), S Isa Abdul-Quddus (concussion), DT Tom Johnson (back) and WR Courtney Roby (shoulder, ankle).

Strief, CB Corey White (knee) and TE David Thomas (knee) are questionable, while CB Elbert Mack (concussion) is probable. White was limited in practice all week.

Follow Saints reporter Guerry Smith on Twitter @CBSSaints.