| News |
|---|
|
Sizable reps in preseason opener
Sat, Aug 15, 2026, 10:27 AM
Hellams (hamstring) recorded four tackles (three solo) during the Falcons' 27-7 preseason loss to the Broncos on Friday.
Analysis: Neither Xavier Watts (undisclosed) nor Jessie Bates (back) played in Friday's exhibition game, so Hellams drew the start at safety and ended up playing 45 snaps (37 on defense, eight on special teams). Hellams is expected to operate mostly on special teams this season while working in a rotational role in the secondary. He logged 10 tackles (four solo) across 11 regular-season games in 2025 before ending the year on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury. |
|
Bijan Robinson Bijan Robinson Doesn't play Friday
Sat, Aug 15, 2026, 9:09 AM
Robinson did not play in the Falcons' 27-7 preseason loss to the Broncos on Friday.
Analysis: Robinson dressed and warmed up pregame but observed Friday's exhibition contest from the sidelines. He was the only Falcons running back to not suit up, as Brian Robinson played in each of the first two offensive series while Tyler Goodson led all Atlanta RB's with 24 snaps on offense. Per Will McFadden and Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site, Robinson is still in ramp-up mode after recently returning to practice, so he could play in Atlanta's next preseason game, which takes place Saturday, Aug. 22 against Indianapolis. |
|
Zachariah Branch Zachariah Branch Involved on offense and special teams
Fri, Aug 14, 2026, 10:24 PM
Branch caught two of four targets for six yards and added a three-yard run in Friday's 27-7 preseason loss to the Broncos. He also had a six-yard punt return.
Analysis: Branch didn't gain much yardage in his NFL debut, but the Falcons made a concerted effort to get the ball into his hands. The speedy Branch is expected to work as a return man on special teams for the Falcons in addition to contributing on offense, where he's battling Jahan Dotson and Olamide Zaccheaus for depth-chart slotting at wide receiver behind Drake London. Branch will look to strengthen his case for regular-season playing time in Atlanta's second preseason game against the Colts on Aug. 22. |
|
Brian Robinson Brian Robinson Gets preseason start Friday
Fri, Aug 14, 2026, 9:36 PM
Robinson rushed twice for six yards in Friday's 27-7 preseason loss to the Broncos.
Analysis: Robinson played the game's first two drives with most of Atlanta's starters while Bijan Robinson got the night off. Bijan will get the lion's share of carries come the regular season as long as he's available, but Brian seems to have a secure hold on the second spot on the depth chart, ahead of Tyler Goodson, Nathan Carter, Trey Sermon and Cash Jones. |
|
Kyle Pitts Sr. Kyle Pitts Sr. Accounts for all three of Tua's completions
Fri, Aug 14, 2026, 9:32 PM
Pitts caught three of four targets for 22 yards in Friday's 27-7 preseason loss to the Broncos.
Analysis: Pitts accounted for all three of Tua Tagovailoa's completions across their two drives in the game. Tagovailoa has the inside track on Atlanta's Week 1 starting job under center, so it's encouraging that Pitts is showing some early chemistry with the offseason QB addition. The Falcons' second preseason game will be Aug. 22 at Indianapolis. |
|
Tua Tagovailoa Tua Tagovailoa Plays two drives in preseason start
Fri, Aug 14, 2026, 9:27 PM
Tagovailoa completed three of five passes for 22 yards and rushed once for no gain in Friday's 27-7 preseason loss to the Broncos.
Analysis: All three of Tagovailoa's completions on Atlanta's first two drives went to tight end Kyle Pitts. Tua's performance was nothing to write home about, but it's nonetheless encouraging that he got the starting nod for the preseason opener while Michael Penix (knee) has yet to be cleared for contact drills. Given Tagovailoa's edge in health, the former Dolphins quarterback is the favorite to win Atlanta's quarterback competition ahead of the Falcons' Week 1 road game against the Steelers. |
|
Tua Tagovailoa Tua Tagovailoa Inside track to Week 1 start, per Fowler
Fri, Aug 14, 2026, 4:06 PM
Tagovailoa has the "inside track" to be named the Falcons' starting quarterback ahead of Week 1, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Helping Tagovailoa's cause so far in training camp has been his accuracy, though Michael Penix's ongoing recovery from the torn ACL he suffered Week 11 of last season has contained him to 7-to-7 drills, at best, in practice. Fowler noted that coach Kevin Stefanski "might wait this out until after the preseason to name a starter," so it appears he'll make Tagovailoa earn the role on his merits. Tagovailoa is slated to start Friday's exhibition against the Broncos, which may help him stake a claim to the eventual No. 1 role. |
|
Facing eight-game suspension
Fri, Aug 14, 2026, 2:11 PM
The NFL suspended Pearce eight games Friday for violating the league's personal conduct policy, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Pearce was arrested in February following a domestic dispute in Florida. With Pearce now set to miss essentially half the regular season and Jalon Walker done for 2026 with a torn ACL, the Falcons are in a dire situation at edge rusher. Veterans Azeez Ojulari and Samson Ebukam are next up at the position. Per Marc Raimondi of ESPN.com, ahead of the regular season, Pearce, who isn't appealing his suspension, is eligible to participate in all preseason activities, including games. He will be eligible for reinstatement Nov. 2. |
|
Drake London Drake London Models game after greats
Thu, Aug 13, 2026, 7:10 PM
London outlined that he tries to model his game after big-bodied wideouts like Mike Evans and former NFL stars Calvin Johnson, Dez Bryant and Andre Johnson, Robert Mays of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: London saw a dip in production in 2025, but that was mostly due to a PCL sprain in his left knee that sidelined him for four contests late in the season. The wide receiver still caught 68 of 112 targets for 919 yards and seven scores over 12 regular-season contest, and the 76.6 yards per game were a new career-high for the 25-year-old. London understands that part of what makes him special is his 6-foot-4, 215-plus pound frame, and he'll look to continue to use it to his advantage in Year 5 with Atlanta. The wide receiver will once again face uncertainty at quarterback in 2026, as the team signed veteran Tua Tagovailoa (back) in the offseason to compete with Michael Penix (knee) for the starting job. Regardless of who is under center, London has elevated to being one of the top WRs in the league, and he figures to have another strong campaign this year. |
|
Reverts to IR
Wed, Aug 12, 2026, 7:15 PM
Verdon (undisclosed) reverted to injured reserve with the Falcons on Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Analysis: Verdon was waived with an injury designation by Atlanta on Tuesday after suffering an undisclosed injury. After passing through waivers unclaimed, he's now on track to miss the entirety of the 2026 campaign while on IR. |
|
Le'Meke Brockington Le'Meke Brockington Reverts to IR
Wed, Aug 12, 2026, 6:12 PM
Brockington (undisclosed) reverted to injured reserve with the Falcons on Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Analysis: Brockington suffered an undisclosed injury before he was waived/injured by Atlanta on Tuesday, but now that he has cleared waivers, he'll be placed on injured reserve with the Falcons. The wide receiver will be now be forced to miss the entirety of the 2026 campaign while on IR unless he reaches an injury settlement with the team. |
|
Cooper Rush Cooper Rush In line to play Friday
Wed, Aug 12, 2026, 3:38 PM
Coach Kevin Stefanski said Wednesday that Rush will rotate into Friday's preseason game versus the Broncos, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.
Analysis: Per Stefanski, Tua Tagovailoa (back) is getting the nod to start in Atlanta's preseason opener, and Rush will be the team's next man up at quarterback. The Falcons have yet to name their starting signal caller for Week 1 of the regular season, as 2024 first-rounder Michael Penix continues to recover from the ACL tear he suffered in Week 11 of the 2025 campaign. |
|
Michael Penix Jr. Michael Penix Jr. Out for preseason opener, still no 11-on-11s
Wed, Aug 12, 2026, 12:13 PM
Penix (knee) still hasn't been cleared for 11-on-11s and won't be available for Friday's preseason opener against Denver, Josh Kendall of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Limited to 7-on-7s at training camp, Penix may or may not play this preseason, but he at least figures to increase his practice involvement soon. Tua Tagovailoa will start Friday's exhibition and remain a strong favorite for the Week 1 nod, but Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski reiterated Wednesday that he isn't ready to name his Week 1 starter yet. |
|
Tua Tagovailoa Tua Tagovailoa Starting preseason opener
Wed, Aug 12, 2026, 12:09 PM
Tagovailoa will start Friday's preseason opener against Denver, but coach Kevin Stefanski isn't ready to name the Week 1 starter, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.
Analysis: Stefanski said Wednesday that the starters will stay in Friday's game for about 10 snaps or one series. For now, Tagovailoa is the starter by default with Michael Penix (knee) not yet cleared for contact or full-team drills. Stefanski is leaving the door open for Penix to earn the starting job, but that seems more likely to happen in-season than ahead of Week 1. |
|
Reverts to IR
Tue, Aug 11, 2026, 7:02 PM
Nelson (undisclosed) reverted to the Falcons' injured reserve Tuesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Analysis: Nelson was waived with an injury designation Monday, and he's since been moved to injured reserve after not being picked up by another team. He'll be required to sit for the entire 2026 season unless an injury settlement is reached with Atlanta. |
|
Nick Muse Nick Muse Catches on with Atlanta
Tue, Aug 11, 2026, 4:01 PM
The Falcons signed Muse to a contract Tuesday, Tori McElhaney of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: Muse will join the Falcons two days after being released from the Lions' 90-man roster. The 2022 seventh-rounder will join the Falcons for training camp and have the opportunity to audition for a spot on the 53-man roster or practice squad for the start of the 2026 season. Muse last saw regular-season action in 2024 with the Vikings, when he totalled 64 snaps (17 on offense, 47 on special teams) across four games. |
|
Activated off active/PUP list
Mon, Aug 10, 2026, 8:39 PM
The Falcons activated Taylor (elbow) off the active/PUP list Monday, Will McFadden and Tori McElhaney of the team's official site report.
Analysis: Taylor has spent training camp on the active/PUP list due to an elbow injury he suffered on Thanksgiving Day when the Chiefs lost to the Cowboys. Taylor is back as a full participant in practice and is all set to start at right tackle for the Falcons in 2026. |
|
Michael Penix Jr. Michael Penix Jr. Still working in 7-on-7 drills
Mon, Aug 10, 2026, 7:42 PM
Penix (knee) had some nice plays during 7-on-7 drills at Monday's practice, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.
Analysis: After suffering a partially torn ACL in his left knee Week 11 of last season, Penix required a full reconstruction to repair the damage. In the offseason, the Falcons signed Tua Tagovailoa to provide competition in the QB room. Penix has yet to progress beyond 7-on-7s, but among his throws Monday was a 25-yarder to TE Kyle Pitts down the right sideline that he fit into a tight window. Per Josh Kendall of The Athletic, coach Kevin Stefanski expects to announce by Wednesday who among Atlanta's quarterbacks -- also, Cooper Rush and Jack Strand -- will play in Friday's preseason game against the Broncos, but considering where Penix stands at the moment, he'll likely be in street clothes for that contest. |
|
Trey Sermon Trey Sermon Bound for Atlanta
Mon, Aug 10, 2026, 7:22 PM
The Falcons signed Sermon on Monday, Tori McElhaney of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: Sermon spent the 2025 campaign bouncing between Pittsburgh's practice squad and active roster, but he's now getting another opportunity with a new team. He'll be competing with the likes of Nathan Carter and rookie undrafted free agent Cash Jones for a depth role in Atlanta's backfield in 2026. |
|
Signs with Atlanta
Mon, Aug 10, 2026, 6:36 PM
The Falcons signed Sample (knee) on Monday, Will McFadden and Tori McElhaney of the team's official site report.
Analysis: Sample was waived by the 49ers on Wednesday with a knee issue. The signing means the linebacker passed his physical and should be good to go for the preseason. Sample should slot in as a third-string option at outside linebacker, right on the edge of a potential 53-man roster spot. |
Connect With Us:
