The Falcons’ Week 2 snap counts painted a pretty clear picture: this coaching staff is settling into a few real preferences, even after a 34-3 loss to the Carolina Panthers.
At defensive tackle in Jeff Ulbrich’s base odd-front 3-4, the numbers show a straight-up split between Gervon Dexter Sr. and Maason Smith. Through two weeks, Dexter has 76 snaps and Smith has 75, and both logged 37 snaps in Week 2, good for 56% apiece.
That’s not a temporary arrangement anymore. It looks like the Falcons see those offseason additions as co-starters, and Dexter’s first breakout game - six pressures - only strengthens that case.
Behind them, LaCale London played 26 snaps, while Brandon Dorlus and Zach Harrison each finished with 25. Dorlus’ number dipped because of the blowout, but Harrison’s role is notable in its own right. He was elevated from the practice squad and held his own with 25 snaps, a small bright spot for a fan base that had already gone through the whiplash of seeing him cut.
The edge-rush rotation also told its own story. Bralen Trice, who had finally gotten his first snaps in Week 1 after an injury-riddled three seasons in Atlanta, didn’t see the field at all this time.
Za’Darius Smith, meanwhile, nearly doubled his playing time and continues to look like the defense’s best performer through two weeks, starting with his 2.5 sacks. Yasir Abdulah’s reps came in garbage time after the game got away, so that usage is harder to read into than Jared Ivey’s heavier workload in a tighter Week 1 game.
Samson Ebukam’s underlying production also stands out. He ranked third in the NFL in pass rush win rate at 33%, while Smith was fifth at 30%.
In the secondary, the only real change was the rookie Avieon Terrell overtaking Sydney Brown for the majority of the snaps in the nickel role. That tracks with how Terrell has looked early on; he’s been the best performer in the secondary so far this season.
Mike Hughes played every snap, while Xavier Watts and Jessie Bates III were right behind him. C.J.
Henderson handled 60 snaps in place of A.J. Terrell, who was limited to six because of injury.
Here’s how the back end shook out in Week 2:
CB Mike Hughes: 66 snaps (100% of total)
S Xavier Watts: 63 (95%)
S Jessie Bates III: 62 (94%)
CB C.J. Henderson: 60 (91%) (in place of A.J. Terrell)
NB Avieon Terrell: 26 (39%)
NB Sydney Brown 18 (27%)
CB A.J. Terrell: 6 (9%) (injured)
S DeMarcco Hellams: 4 (6%)
At off-ball linebacker next to Divine Deablo, the picture is getting clearer too. Kendal Daniels looks set for about two-thirds of the snaps, while rookie Harold Perkins Jr. appears to own the other third. That LB3 battle between Perkins and Christian Harris wasn’t nearly as close as some had thought.
And even with the blowout context, the usage of rookie WR/KR Zachariah Branch says the Falcons are still easing him in on offense. With his speed and ability after the catch, he would seem like a natural outlet for Cooper Rush and Jack Strand, but 32 offensive snaps through two games suggests that kind of role is not in place yet, at least not before a possible Michael Penix Jr. return at quarterback.
In Other News...
Falcons QB Mess Just Sparked A Wild Veteran Debate
The quarterback picture in Atlanta has already turned into one of the leagues early talking points this season, with Tua Tagovailoa sidelined by injury and Cooper Rush having a rough opening stretch in the first two games. For a team trying to settle its offense before the schedule gets any tougher, the uncertainty under center has become impossible to ignore.
Robert Griffin III poured fuel on the conversation with a public critique of the situation, then floated a list of veteran free agents he believes could bring some stability, including himself, Cam Newton, Jimmy Garoppolo and Ryan Tannehill. Griffins name is the one that sent social media into overdrive, even though he has not appeared in a regular-season game since 2020, and the debate now says as much about Atlantas quarterback frustration as it does about any actual reunion talk. [Read more 🡒]
Falcons Offense May Finally Get The Jolt Its Core Needs
After a rocky opening to the 2026 season, the Falcons are getting close to a much-needed reset under center. Michael Penix Jr. is expected back as the starter in Week 3, a development that could finally give Atlantas offense a steadier rhythm after Cooper Rush was forced into early action and struggled to move the group consistently.
That matters because this is not a roster short on core talent. Bijan Robinson, Drake London and Kyle Pitts are all locked in on long-term contracts, giving Atlanta a foundation worth building around if the quarterback play stabilizes. Even with Penix's return offering some hope, the bigger picture still points toward 2027, when the Falcons may need to find their long-term answer at quarterback for good. [Read more 🡒]
Falcons Suddenly Face A Bigger QB Problem Than Just Cooper Rush
Cooper Rushs two starts have already pushed the Falcons into an uncomfortable spot at quarterback. Since stepping in because of injuries elsewhere on the depth chart, he has managed only one touchdown against four interceptions, and the benching in Week 2 made it clear the team is not getting the kind of control it needs from the position. More than the numbers, the concern is how much the offense has had to shrink around him, with the coaching staff appearing to trim the playbook rather than ask him to do too much.
The bigger issue is what comes next if Atlanta keeps looking for stability under center. Rushs struggles are not just a short-term problem for the Falcons, they may also ripple beyond their own building by changing how teams view veteran quarterbacks with a similar skill set. If Atlanta cannot get cleaner play from the position soon, the conversation will shift from one backup filling in to whether the Falcons have to rethink the entire way theyre managing the quarterback room. [Read more 🡒]