Baker was released by the Falcons on Monday.

Baker, a first round pick in 2008, has played just nine games over the past two seasons due to injuries in both knees. Upon his release, the veteran offensive tackle will now search for a landing spot ahead of training camp next month.

Baker, who suffered a torn patella tendon during Saturday's preseason game, will miss the entire upcoming season, the Falcons' official website reports.

Baker went down during Atlanta's fourth offensive series after suffering the same injury he endured in his other knee four games into the regular season last year. With him out again, rookie first-rounder Jake Matthews is expected to slide over to start at left tackle.

Baker suffered a torn patella tendon during Saturday's preseason game and will likely miss the entire upcoming season, NFL.com reports.

Baker went down in the second quarter of Saturday's game and appeared to be in significant pain. Given the extent of his injury, Baker is a near certainty to miss the upcoming campaign. As a result, the Falcons are expected to accelerate the process of shifting rookie first-rounder Jake Matthews to left tackle, where he'll be tasked with protecting quarterback Matt Ryan's blindside.

Baker left Saturday night's game against the Texans with a right knee injury, ESPN.com reports.

Baker, who was carted off the field in the second quarter of the contest, was replaced in the game by Lamar Holmes. The report notes that Baker was in obvious pain after suffering the injury, so it looks like the Falcons' left tackle is probably going to miss some time.

Falcons LT Sam Baker (knee surgery) is participating fully at OTAs.

Coach Mike Smith observed that Baker moved "extremely well" on the first day of practice. With Baker back on Matt Ryan's blind side, Atlanta's offensive line is shaping up as LT Baker, LG Justin Blalock, C Joe Hawley, RG Jon Asamoah, and RT Jake Matthews. Peter Konz and Lamar Holmes will be reserves.

Falcons LT Sam Baker (knee) expects to be cleared this week.

Baker underwent platelet rich plasma treatment on his left knee before undergoing surgery in November and landing on I.R. He appeared in just four games last season. Whether Baker mans left tackle for the Falcons remains to be seen. Atlanta could easily take a left tackle with the No. 6 overall pick or trade up.

Falcons LT Sam Baker underwent platelet rich plasma (PRP) treatment on his left knee, specific to his patellar tendon, before undergoing surgery last season.

The Falcons never revealed the full extent of Baker's injury before placing him on I.R. in November, so we're just recording this more for bookkeeping purposes. Baker is entering year two of a six-year, $41.1 million deal he inked last March. The Falcons have said they plan to keep him at left tackle. But one of the big three left tackles will likely be there if the Falcons stick at No. 6 in May's draft.

Coach Mike Smith expects LT Sam Baker (knee, injured reserve) to be ready for the Falcons' offseason program, and says the team has no plans to move him to right tackle.

In the first year of a six-year, $41.1 million deal this season, Baker was a nightmare on Matt Ryan's blindside, but the Falcons don't have any better options on the roster. They're going to have a top-10 pick (at least) in May's draft, but it would be highly surprising if they spent it on an offensive tackle. For better or worse, Baker is going to get another shot at left tackle in 2014.

Falcons placed LT Sam Baker on injured reserve with a left knee injury, ending his season.

The Falcons have yet to reveal the full extent of Baker's injury, but ESPN's Vaughn McClure reports he's undergoing surgery. Baker had appeared in just one of the Falcons' past five games. The Falcons are moving forward with Lamar Holmes at left tackle. It's not a good situation for Matt Ryan, who has watched almost his entire supporting cast succumb to injury. That being said, Baker was playing extremely poorly before going down. Baker signed a six-year, $41.1 million extension in March. He'll be back in 2014.

Falcons coach Mike Smith is "worried" about the health of LT Sam Baker (knee).

Baker was inactive for Sunday's loss, and it doesn't sound like he made much progress during his week off. He's appeared in just one of the Falcons' past five games. It's not outside the realm of possibility that Baker ends up on injured reserve.

Falcons LT Sam Baker (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Panthers.

Baker practiced on a limited basis this week and it appears he has a decent chance of playing after missing the last three games. He'll be an immediate upgrade on Matt Ryan's blindside if active, with Lamar Holmes moving back to right tackle.

Falcons LT Sam Baker (knee) was limited in Wednesday and Thursday's practices, and has a chance to suit up for Week 8.

Falcons LT Sam Baker (knee) is listed as out for Week 7.

Lamar Holmes will continue to "protect" Matt Ryan's blind side. It's conceivable Atlanta's passing game will suddenly become totally dysfunctional due to the pass pro woes combined with the losses of Roddy White and Julio Jones.

Falcons LT Sam Baker (knee) is not practicing Wednesday.

Baker hasn't practiced since suffering a setback with his knee/leg injury in Week 4. Even with the Falcons coming off their bye, he's unlikely to return for Sunday's game against the Bucs.

Falcons LT Sam Baker (knee) is not practicing Tuesday.

Baker has only been healthy for three games this season and missed Week 5 with a lingering knee/leg injury. The Falcons will continue to start Lamar Holmes if he doesn't return this week, with Jeremy Trueblood at right tackle.

Falcons LT Sam Baker (knee) has been ruled out for Week 5.

It's not a good sign that Baker has been ruled out so far in advance of Monday night's game. The Falcons will go with Lamar Holmes on the blindside, and Jeremy Trueblood at right tackle. Save for perhaps Oakland, there's not a team with a worse tackle situation.

Falcons LT Sam Baker (knee) is not practicing Tuesday.

Baker suffered a setback with his knee injury in Week 4 and is not expected to play in Monday night's game against the Jets. The Falcons will likely start Lamar Holmes in his absence, with Jeremy Trueblood at right tackle. Holmes was benched in favor of Trueblood prior to Baker going down.

Falcons LT Sam Baker (knee) is not expected to play in Monday's game against the Jets.

With the bye week looming in Week 6, it makes sense for the Falcons to hold Baker out. That means they'll likely start Lamar Holmes on Matt Ryan's blindside and Jeremy Trueblood at right tackle. Holmes was benched in favor of Trueblood ahead of Week 4. Protection is going to be an issue for the Falcons all year long.

Falcons coach Mike Smith won't update LT Sam Baker's (knee) status until Thursday.

The Falcons are playing in the Monday night game next week. The fact that they're squatting on Baker's status is an indication they don't expect him to be ready for Week 5. Baker has struggled mightily this season, but fill-in Lamar Holmes is not an upgrade.

Falcons LT Sam Baker exited Sunday night's Week 4 game with a left knee injury.

His return is questionable. It's the same knee injury that he was dealing with coming into this week. Lamar Holmes is back in the game after being benched for Jeremy Trueblood.