The Falcons walked out of Indianapolis with a lot more life than they brought into the week.
After a rough preseason opener against the Denver Broncos, Atlanta turned things around in a big way following productive joint practices with the Colts. The Falcons’ reserves took over on Saturday afternoon, and the result was a 34-6 win that never felt particularly close.
It was the kind of performance that gave Atlanta something to hang its hat on. Special teams looked better.
Undrafted rookie Jack Strand flashed. And after the disappointment of the Denver game, the Falcons finally had a day that looked and felt like progress.
CBS Sports’ Garrett Podell and Zachary Pereles took notice, naming Atlanta one of the biggest winners from preseason Week 2.
"Preseason scores do not matter at all, but there might not have been a single team needing a good week more than the Falcons. Atlanta got walloped by Denver, 27-7, last week, hours after the news came out that James Pearce Jr. was suspended eight games. Tua Tagovailoa looked awful, the defense looked awful, and the vibes were bad," wrote Podell and Pereles.
The on-field turnaround was one thing. The injury update around Michael Penix Jr. added even more to the good mood.
Podell and Pereles also pointed to the latest news on Penix when explaining why the Falcons came out of the week looking so much better.
"The best news, however, came after the game: Kevin Stefanski said Penix has been cleared to return to 11-on-11 work after a lengthy rehabilitation from yet another torn ACL. Maybe Tagovailoa is already the de-facto starter since it's taken Penix a bit, but it's always nice to get positive injury updates," they wrote.
Penix has been cleared for 11-on-11 work in practice, but he still has not been cleared for contact. On Monday, head coach Kevin Stefanski would not say whether Penix will play against the Dolphins on Friday in the final preseason game.
With a bye week before Atlanta opens the season against the Pittsburgh Steelers on September 13th, there would be no surprise if Penix sat out Friday and used the extra time to keep healing before Week 1. A snap or two in Miami would not change much for him at this stage.
Even if Penix does not play, that would not automatically make Tagovailoa the de facto starter.
The Dolphins are in full tank mode for the regular season, but they will still have plenty of players battling for roster spots on Friday. Another strong showing in Miami would give Atlanta more momentum at a time when it could use all of it heading into Kevin Stefanski’s first season.
In Other News...
Falcons Quarterback Questions Just Pulled Them Into A Trade Rumor
Anthony Richardsons status in Indianapolis has become one of the more closely watched quarterback storylines of the preseason, and it is the kind that naturally sends ripples through the league. Drafted fourth overall in 2023, Richardson has flashed enough talent to keep the Colts invested, but his uneven preseason has left the team weighing its options as final roster cuts approach.
Richardson had asked for a trade earlier this offseason, though no deal materialized, and the Colts still appear inclined to keep three quarterbacks on the roster. With head coach Shane Steichen announcing that Richardson will start the preseason finale against the Detroit Lions, he gets one more chance to strengthen his case and quiet the uncertainty that has surrounded him. [Read more 🡒]
Falcons Pass Rush Suddenly Has An Unexpected Player To Watch
Keshawn Banks has turned the Falcons preseason into a legitimate audition, and it comes at a time when Atlanta could use any hint of help up front. The 2023 undrafted free agent has been active in the pass rush, stacking up quarterback hits and hurries while drawing strong marks from Pro Football Focus, where he has led the team in pass-rush grades during exhibition play.
For a defense dealing with a depleted pass-rush picture because of injuries and suspensions, that kind of emergence is impossible to ignore. Banks has gone from an overlooked name to a player worth tracking as roster decisions loom, and his preseason work is at least putting him in the conversation for a role on the Falcons defensive line this season. [Read more 🡒]
Falcons Suddenly Make Sense In One Bears Trade Scenario
The Bears reported trade talks involving defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr. have quickly created a little intrigue around the league, and Atlanta is one of the teams that fits cleanly into the conversation. Dexter is entering the final year of his rookie contract, which gives Chicago a decision to make, and the Falcons stand out because these kinds of moves often follow familiar coaching and front-office ties as much as pure roster need.
From Atlantas perspective, the connection is easy to see, even if nothing is imminent. The Falcons have been mentioned among several possible destinations, alongside the 49ers, Titans, Giants and Eagles, and that keeps this from feeling like a random name being floated for clicks. Whether Chicago actually moves Dexter will determine how far the interest goes, but the fit is enough to make the speculation feel a lot more grounded than most early-season trade chatter. [Read more 🡒]