Atlanta Falcons

Michael Penix Jr.

QB

So far in training camp, Penix has been capped to 7-on-7 drills as he works his way back from the torn ACL he suffered in his left knee Week 11 of last season. He noted that he's hoping to gain clearance, likely for 11-on-11 work, during Thursday's check-up, but he's unsure that'll occur. In any case, Penix continues to make progress in his recovery, but his limitations in practice seemingly has him behind Tua Tagovailoa in the competition to be the Falcons' starting QB to begin the campaign.

Trey Sermon

RB

Sermon signed with the Falcons in early August. The running back's unknown injury has earned him a spot on the season-ending IR, and he will be unable to participate in 2026 unless he is waived with an injury settlement. With two weeks of preseason remaining, the Falcons will likely look into signing another running back prospect for depth.

Divine Deablo

LB

Deablo had been missing time due to an ankle injury he suffered during practice earlier in the month, but he's now dressing for training camp sessions again. He projects to play a large role in Atlanta's front seven in 2026 when available.

Malik Verdon

LB

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Jalon Walker

LB

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James Pearce Jr.

LB

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Cameron Sample

DE

Xavier Watts

S

Beaux Collins

WR

Zach Harrison

DE

Za'Darius Smith

DE

With injuries and legal problems thinning out their group of edge rushers, the Falcons have bolstered the position group with the addition of Smith, who will turn 34 shortly before Week 1. He announced his retirement last October after playing five games for Philadelphia, just one year removed from a 9.0-sack season in 2024. Smith may not solve Atlanta's pass-rush problems, but he probably represents an upgrade over some of the other edge rushers that would be taking the snaps if he weren't around.

Jessie Bates III

S

The safety had to sit out of two straight practice sessions and Atlanta's preseason opener against Denver last week with the back issue. Now that he's participating in individual drills again, he should be able to resume full 11-on-11 sessions soon as well. Bates recorded 98 tackles (57 solo), six pass breakups, including three interceptions, and a forced fumble for Atlanta a year ago.

Tua Tagovailoa

QB

Back on July 31, Stefanski told Daniel Flick of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the Falcons wouldn't play starters in the second preseason game, with members of the first-team offense and defense instead banking reps in joint practices with the Colts leading up to the exhibition. Stefanski doesn't seem to have deviated from that plan a few weeks later, as he mentioned Cooper Rush and Jack Strand as the possible starting options at quarterback for the matchup with Indianapolis when he spoke to the media Monday. Tagovailoa played two drives Friday in the Falcons' 27-7 loss to the Broncos in the preseason opener, and he's expected to take snaps again in the final exhibition game Friday, Aug. 28 versus the Dolphins. Tagovailoa is currently in pole position to open the regular season as the Falcons' starter under center, as Michael Penix (knee) remains limited to taking part in 7-on-7 drills during practices.

DeMarcco Hellams

S

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

RB

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

WR

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 Jr.

RB

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.

TE

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.

Drake London

WR

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.

Cooper Rush

QB

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.

Nick Muse

TE

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.

Jawaan Taylor

OT

Taylor has spent training camp on the active/PUP list due to an elbow injury he suffered on Thanksgiving Day against the Cowboys while with the Chiefs. Taylor is back as a full participant in practice and is expected to start at right tackle for the Falcons in 2026.

DeAngelo Malone

LB

Malone was initially placed on the active/PUP list this past Wednesday due to an undisclosed injury. Now that he's on the reserve/PUP, Malone will be required to miss the entire 2026 season unless he reaches an injury settlement with the Falcons. He appeared in nine regular-season games for Atlanta last year and finished with eight tackles (two solo) and one interception.

Matthew Bergeron

G

Bergeron is set to make $60 million in guaranteed money, per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com. The left guard has started 49 regular-season games of a potential 51, and has been a model of consistency and production for the Falcons since being drafted in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Bergeron is now locked up through 2030.

Jahan Dotson

WR

Dotson has featured with the starters consistently, working alongside Drake London while Olamide Zaccheaus and Zachariah Branch rotate in. In the process, McFadden notes that Dotson had a nice gain on a crossing route early in the full-team period of Thursday's practice. The 16th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft has recorded 1,519 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns through four NFL regular seasons split between Washington and Philadelphia, with seven of those scores coming in Dotson's rookie campaign.