The Atlanta Falcons’ first Week 1 injury report came with a mix of caution and encouragement, and quarterback Michael Penix Jr. was right in the middle of it.
Penix was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice even though he’s dealing with a knee injury that will keep him inactive Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Atlanta is taking the slow, careful route with his recovery, but his ability to get through a full session still stood out as a positive sign.
The Falcons have already tabbed Tua Tagovailoa as the starter for Sunday’s season opener, with veteran Cooper Rush lined up as the backup. Penix’s status remains one of the bigger health stories around the team, especially after he wasn’t fully cleared for 11-on-11 work until the final week of training camp.
On the defensive side, cornerback Billy Bowman Jr. is pushing to be available for Week 1. He was limited Wednesday as he continues building back from an Achilles injury, but he sounded confident about his chances and said he feels ready to go.
Atlanta has handled Bowman’s workload carefully, and his return to practice is another step in the right direction. If he’s able to suit up, he’d give a secondary with high expectations an extra lift. Avieon Terrell is set to start at nickel for the Falcons, and the second-round pick has dealt with minor injuries throughout camp while still landing on the first team of the depth chart.
Bowman was one of several players who showed up on the report. Defensive lineman Brandon Dorlus was limited because of a groin injury, veteran edge rusher Za'Darius Smith was limited with a shoulder issue, wide receiver Zachariah Branch was limited with a hamstring injury, and offensive lineman Kyle Hinton was limited with a knee injury.
The good news for Atlanta is that nobody missed practice entirely on Wednesday.
With two more practices left before Sunday’s opener, the Falcons still have time to sort through these situations. Penix’s path is about steady recovery. Bowman’s, at least for now, is about trying to get himself ready to face Pittsburgh.
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Falcons Suddenly Have A Tua Concern They Cant Ignore
Tua Tagovailoas first days as the Falcons newly named starter already have a little extra weight to them, and Thursdays practice session added an unexpected layer. Tagovailoa appeared to be in discomfort and briefly went to the ground during the workout, a sight that immediately put the focus back on the back issue that bothered him during training camp. He did not throw again during the media portion of practice, and the team is set to update his status in its next injury report.
For Atlanta, the timing is the part that matters most. Tagovailoa was just handed the starting job, with Cooper Rush and rookie Jack Strand behind him on the depth chart, so any health concern around him lands differently than it would in midseason. The Falcons now have to sort out whether this was a brief practice scare or something more significant, and the answer should come soon enough when the injury report gives a clearer picture. [Read more 🡒]
Falcons Rookie Is Already Turning One Veteran Spot Into A Real Battle
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Christian Harris still gives Atlanta a seasoned option at a spot that rarely stays settled for long, but the early indication is that the coaching staff is willing to trust what it sees over experience or previous investment. Daniels rise has turned what looked like a straightforward veteran role into a real competition, and the Falcons now have at least one lineup decision that says as much about the teams standards as it does about the player who forced the issue. [Read more 🡒]
Falcons Opener Just Got A Big Joey Porter Jr. Wrinkle
Joey Porter Jr. remains one of the more interesting variables hanging over the Falcons opener, even if the immediate concern in Pittsburgh is simply getting the cornerback back on the field. Steelers coach Mike McCarthy would not say whether Porter needs a full practice before being cleared to play against Atlanta, and the second-year defender is still working through a back issue while practicing in a limited capacity.
The broader picture is just as unsettled, with Porter still in a ramp-up stage and no real movement on a contract extension. The Steelers have made their stance clear by not negotiating deals once the regular season begins, so Atlantas opening matchup could feature a key defensive piece whose availability is still very much up in the air. [Read more 🡒]