All articles tagged with #falcons
The Falcons released their unofficial depth chart for their final preseason game against the Miami Dolphins, set for 7 p.m. ET at Hard Rock Stadium. A notable update is that Michael Penix Jr. is listed as a starter alongside Tua Tagovailoa after being cleared to engage in full-team drills, with roster cuts looming over the weekend. The chart outlines starters and backups across offense, defense and special teams.
Michael Penix Jr. has been medically cleared, bringing increased clarity to Atlanta’s quarterback depth and Week 1 readiness. With Penix healthy alongside Tua Tagovailoa and Cooper Rush, the Falcons must decide roles and protect the QB3 spot, where Jack Strand has shown potential this preseason. The discussion is informed by the Falcons’ preseason win over the Colts and Penix’s mental and injury-history considerations as roster decisions loom.
Fully cleared after an ACL injury, Michael Penix Jr. enters a real quarterback competition with Tua Tagovailoa in Atlanta, as the Falcons begin 11-on-11 practice and a crucial three-week evaluation ahead of the Sept. 13 opener vs. the Steelers, with Penix’s live arm drawing attention even as Tagovailoa remains the favorite.
Atlanta’s backups dominated Indy’s backups in a 34-6 preseason win, with Cooper Rush and Jack Strand directing a productive passing game and running backs Tyler Goodson and Nate Carter grinding out gains; the Falcons’ defensestifled the Colts, and solid special-teams play provided extra momentum, giving coaches plenty of roster battles to evaluate as they separate depth from potential contributors.
Colts backups were overwhelmed 34-6 at home by Atlanta in Week 2 of the preseason, highlighting questions at quarterback behind Richardson and Leonard, while Seth McGowan emerged as the lead backup RB and Deion Burks showed promise at receiver and as a returner; the defense and special teams showed mixed results as a kicking competition between Shrader and Grupe tightened.
Michael Penix Jr. is cleared to practice in full 11-on-11 after ACL rehab, while Tua Tagovailoa remains in the mix for Falcons’ Week 1, leaving the QB starter situation unresolved ahead of the opener against the Steelers.
A Falcons beat writer uses the Colts’ joint practices to gauge the team’s quarterback situation, noting how reps and environment shape early impressions, while also touching on the broader NFL context with updates on Tua Tagovailoa’s likely Week 1 start and Michael Penix Jr.’s potential to start later if healthy; the piece also links to coverage from multiple outlets and previews the upcoming preseason game against the Colts.
Day 2 of the Falcons–Colts joint practices in Westfield featured high energy and a clearer edge for Atlanta, with an improved Falcons defense and pass rush, while the Colts faced issues like multiple bad snaps to Anthony Richardson during the two-minute drill. Coach Stefanski shared notes on pass protection and progression, Michael Penix Jr. provided a cautious update on his clearance status, Bijan Robinson and Kyle Pitts offered positive takeaways, and Cooper Rush had moments but nothing definitive. There were no fights, and the day leaned toward the Falcons ahead of upcoming preseason action.
Goodson appears to have locked Atlanta’s No. 3 RB spot amid strong training camp, while the Falcons’ first-team offense shows uneven rhythm as Tua Tagovailoa and Cooper Rush compete for consistency; Drake London highlighted the day with a leaping TD catch during joint practices with the Colts as Atlanta advances toward final roster decisions ahead of the preseason game.
Atlanta adds veteran edge rusher Za’Darius Smith on a one-year contract to bolster a thin pass rush after injuries to Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. The 34-year-old three-time Pro Bowler, who has 70.5 career sacks and has played for several teams, had briefly retired before signing with Atlanta. He should immediate contribute to a rotation with Ojulari, Ebukam, Thomas and Trice and could see another addition before Week 1 as he ramps up.
Veteran defensive end Za'Darius Smith agreed to a one-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons after a workout, providing needed depth at the edge as the team copes with suspensions and injuries to other defensive ends. Smith, who previously played for Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski in Cleveland, last year signed with the Eagles before briefly retiring, and now returns to football with Atlanta.
Za’Darius Smith returns to the NFL on a one-year Falcons deal after briefly retiring with the Eagles last season, reuniting with his former Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski in Atlanta as the Falcons seek edge-rush help following the James Pearce Jr. suspension; the Eagles had previously held his rights but moved on earlier this year.
Tua Tagovailoa’s Falcons debut was underwhelming (3-of-5 for 22 yards with a dropped snap) and drew criticism for not seizing the QB1 job, even as Cooper Rush and others wait behind him; with Michael Penix out, Atlanta’s QB situation remains unsettled, reinforcing why the Dolphins moved on.
Atlanta’s 2026 preseason opener vs. Denver showcased mixed results: undrafted QB Jack Strand looked the most capable Falcon passer and flashed NFL-caliber throws, Tyler Goodson led the backfield, and special teams delivered solid coverage and returns, but the defense appeared overwhelmed and backups (including Cooper Rush) struggled, with limited action for Tua Tagovailoa as the team heads toward Week 1.
During Friday's Falcons–Broncos preseason game, Michael Penix Jr. was spotted pointing at Tua Tagovailoa with a puzzled expression, fueling early meme buzz for the 2026 season; Penix, still recovering from an injury, did not play, while Tagovailoa went 3 of 5 for 22 yards as Atlanta lost and other backups saw action.