Atlanta Falcons linebacker Thomas Benson, accused of...

Atlanta Falcons linebacker Thomas Benson, accused of beating his girlfriend with a broom and a tennis racket Friday morning, was free on $550 bond in time for practice in the afternoon.

Charlie Dayton, a spokesman for the Falcons, said the 6-2, 235-pound Benson will play in Sunday’s game against Washington.

“We’re going to let the court decide that,” Dayton said of the charges against Benson, a second-year player from Oklahoma.