The Falcons have spent two years waiting to see Bralen Trice look like himself again, and training camp is finally giving them a reason to believe it might happen.
Trice, a third-year edge rusher selected by Atlanta in the third round of the 2024 NFL draft, has still never taken a regular-season snap for the team. A torn ACL in his first preseason game ended his rookie year before it started, and a re-aggravated knee injury kept him out for all of 2025.
Now, though, Trice says that chapter is closed.
"I'll be the same, if not better," Trice said. "Just because I've had this time to really figure out how I want to be on the field, how I want to take care of my body, how I want to prep myself before games, take care of myself after games."
That kind of confidence is one thing. Seeing it carry over onto the practice field is another, and Atlanta has gotten some encouraging signs early in camp. The 25-year-old worked with the first team during Monday’s practice, a notable step as he pushes toward what would be his long-awaited NFL debut.
Trice isn’t framing the lost time as wasted time. To him, the rehab stretch gave him a chance to sharpen the parts of his game and routine that many young players don’t fully understand until later.
"The health stuff never was an issue for me," Trice added. "It's just been about getting out there and getting the reps. We're at that point now, and I feel 100% comfortable out on the field."
The good news for Atlanta is that Trice doesn’t have to be the answer to everything. He’s projected to fit into a rotational role behind Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. (if he doesn't get suspended), while also sharing snaps with Samson Ebukam and Azeez Ojulari.
That matters because the Falcons’ pass rush already arrived as a real force last season. The defensive front set a franchise record and finished second in the NFL with 57 sacks, behind only the Denver Broncos, all without Trice available.
Adding another capable edge to that mix only raises the ceiling. Ulbrich has been vocal about Trice’s mentality through the recovery, and outside linebackers coach John Timu, who already knew him from their Washington ties, has also been impressed by how he’s handled the process.
For Atlanta, that’s the payoff for all the patience. If the player the Falcons drafted in 2024 finally shows up in 2026, the pass rush could end up deeper than anyone expected.
In Other News...
Xavier Watts Just Made The Falcons Face A Tough Jessie Bates Call
Xavier Watts has given the Falcons something they did not necessarily expect to be weighing this early: a young safety making a real case for a larger role in the secondary. The rookie impressed enough last season to finish with five interceptions and land among the Defensive Rookie of the Year finalists, and his rapid rise has only sharpened the spotlight on a defense that already had Jessie Bates III as one of its defining pieces.
Bates remains the veteran anchor and a team captain, but Watts emergence adds a layer of complexity to what comes next for Atlanta. The Falcons have to decide how they want to manage the safety spot as Bates heads into a contract year, with Watts play suggesting the future may already be arriving faster than expected. [Read more 🡒]
Falcons Are Leaning On A Veteran As James Pearce Trouble Looms
James Pearce Jr.s February arrest has left the Falcons planning for more than one version of their pass rush picture, and that reality has made their offseason additions matter even more. Atlanta did not sit back and wait on the league to sort things out, instead signing multiple pass-rushers in free agency and giving itself some insulation if the situation around Pearce eventually leads to a suspension.
Samson Ebukam, brought in on a one-year deal, is the veteran most positioned to help steady that spot. His history with defensive line coach Nate Ollie gives the Falcons some familiarity to lean on, and his experience has been a useful presence in camp as Atlanta tries to strengthen a front that needs dependable production. Whether Pearce is available or not, Ebukam has become part of the teams short-term answer up front. [Read more 🡒]
Falcons Quarterback Battle Is Already Leaving Week 1 In Doubt
Atlantas quarterback competition has barely gotten off the ground in training camp, and the early rhythm of the battle has already been interrupted. Tua Tagovailoa is working his way back into full team activities while Michael Penix Jr. continues to recover from ACL surgery, leaving the Falcons without the clean, head-to-head look they hoped to get at this stage.
The result has been a lot of waiting and a little improvisation, with veteran Cooper Rush brought in to take part in drills while the others ease back. Penix still has a stretch to go before he is ready for full practice, and Tagovailoas return is being managed carefully, which means the Week 1 picture is still far from settled. [Read more 🡒]