"Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez needs one catch to notch the 1,000th reception of his glorious career, and it probably won't be long into the season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday when he gets the catch.

"Gonzalez is always open because he's a crafty route runner," said Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin.

NFL officials are probably not going to stop the game and celebrate, with the game being on the road. But the ball likely will be rushed to the sideline for safe-keeping before it's shipped for display at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.

He'll join the rathergroup of receivers with 1,000 catches, and he will be the first tight end in the group.

Jerry Rice (1,549), Marvin Harrison (1,102), Cris Carter (1,101), Tim Brown (1,094) and Isaac Bruce (1,024) are the other members of the 1,000-catch club.

"That's going to be great," Gonzalez said. "If you look at the players in that group, it is very humbling.""