Training camps have kicked off around the NFL, and our team reporters are on the ground each day following all the action. The Atlanta Falcons' camp is taking place in Flowery Branch, Georgia, and Falcons reporter Marc Raimondi has the latest intel on standouts, highlights, position battles, depth chart movement, cut decisions and of course the quarterback room.
What follows is everything we are seeing and hearing at Falcons camp. We will update this file often with the latest updates. Will the draft class help a moribund pass rush? Will tight end Kyle Pitts be ready to go? Who are the breakouts to watch, especially for fantasy football? And which players on the roster bubble could make the final 53?
Let's get into it all, and be sure to keep checking back for more information until the first full week of the preseason begins Thursday.
Latest news from Falcons camp
Wednesday, Aug. 6
Rookie edge rusher Jalon Walker and rookie safety Xavier Watts have not gotten many reps in team periods so far this training camp. That will all change Friday night. Both have been dealing with lower-body injuries, a hamstring issue for Walker, specifically. But Falcons coach Raheem Morris said both will play against the Detroit Lions in the team's first preseason game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Walker was taken with the No. 15 pick and many -- including the Falcons -- were surprised he fell that far. He projects as a linebacker who can play on the outside or inside, but Atlanta is using him first as a straight-up edge rusher as he acclimates to the pro game. Watts, a third-round pick, was also expected to go higher. He's still in the running for a starting safety role along with veterans Jordan Fuller and DeMarcco Hellams.
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Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. made the best throw of the summer so far, lofting one directly into Ray-Ray McCloud III's hands down the right sideline on a corner route. Penix can throw fastballs with the best of them and will fit passes into tight spaces. But his touch throws have clearly improved.
Edge rusher Leonard Floyd made a great play on Kirk Cousins' first dropback of a scrimmage Wednesday. Cousins tried to float the ball over Floyd to tight end Teagan Quitoriano. But Floyd read it, jumped and intercepted the pass. He then ran it back for a pick-six.
Rollin' deep@themikepenix x @RMIII_34 pic.twitter.com/cQ0gzYZNNP
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) August 6, 2025
Camp recap: Who has been your standout performer of camp?
Rookie edge rusher James Pearce Jr. It feels like he has been at the center of everything, mostly good but some bad. Pearce has been involved in several skirmishes with offensive linemen. But he also has a handful of sacks, has gotten consistent pressure on the quarterback and is playing extremely hard every down. Morris said the Falcons wanted to draft him because of the "natural edge" he brings to the field.
Camp recap: What is the biggest question to answer for your team in preseason games?
How will the four highly touted rookies -- Jalon Walker, Pearce, Xavier Watts and Billy Bowman Jr. -- perform? Walker and Watts have missed a good portion of 11-on-11 work in camp due to minor injuries but will play Friday. Both have a shot at starting roles, with Walker likely to at least be in the rotation at edge rusher. Pearce has been one of the most talked about players all summer, and Bowman has gotten some reps with the first team at nickel. The expectation is that all four will have major roles in 2025.
Tuesday, Aug. 5
When Michael Penix Jr. started his first game in Week 16 last season, he barely had any reps throwing to the Falcons' first-team wide receivers. Penix had been working with the scout team up until that point with then-starter Kirk Cousins throwing to guys like Drake London and Darnell Mooney. It took some time for Penix to develop that chemistry with London, but it seems like it's now developed. London caught five passes from Penix in 11-on-11 work Tuesday at practice.
With Mooney out with a shoulder injury since the first day of practice, Penix has clearly leaned heavily on London -- and with great effect. The two have hooked up for big plays almost every day in practice recently. London could be on the verge of a breakout season.
Offensive tackles Jake Matthews and Kaleb McGary were both out of 11-on-11 practice, likely due to rest. Brandon Parker filled in for Matthews on the left side, while Jack Nelson was with the first team on the right. Swing tackle Storm Norton has missed the last three practices, as well, due to undisclosed reasons.
The Falcons moved their practice inside Tuesday after a second straight rainy morning in Flowery Branch. Rookie edge rusher Jalon Walker and rookie safety Xavier Watts both once again missed the 11-on-11 portion of practice.
Monday, Aug. 4
Conditions were terrible Monday. Rain was falling all morning, visibility was low, and the temperatures were in the 60s -- almost 30 degrees lower than what it was here last week. It was not weather conducive to good quarterback play, but Michael Penix Jr. put in one of his best practices of training camp.
Drake London getting physical with Raheem Morris in press coverage 😂 pic.twitter.com/QY7yAXE7SX
— Joe Patrick (@japatrick200) August 4, 2025
Penix was 12-of-15 passing in 11-on-11 work, including a beautiful layered throw to tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. for a touchdown in the back of the end zone in between two defensive backs. Four of Penix's completions were to wide receiver Drake London, including several big plays. Penix was only 8-of-21 passing Friday, but the University of Washington product jogged everyone's memory about how he performs in the elements.
"It reminded me of my Seattle days," Penix said.
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Rookie edge rusher Jalon Walker practiced more Monday, but he was still limited with a hamstring issue. Coach Raheem Morris said Walker will be eased back, and Walker and James Pearce Jr. could both play Friday in the team's first preseason game, against the Detroit Lions.
Morris attempted to check London in individual drills, and it didn't exactly work out in his favor. Morris ended up on his butt. "He's a coach now," Penix said with a grin. "He's gotta leave the [defensive back] stuff back when he was playing."
Neither Penix nor backup quarterback Kirk Cousins will play Friday night, and they probably won't see any preseason game reps at all, per Morris. Easton Stick and Emory Jones will both get work as quarterbacks.
Friday, Aug. 1
Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. had his toughest day of training camp yet. He was 8-of-21 passing in 11-on-11 work and, while he was the victim of some dropped passes, he missed the mark more than the Falcons would probably like him to at this juncture.
Inconsistency right now isn't a huge surprise and he is without wide receiver Darnell Mooney (shoulder). Penix is going into his first year as a starting quarterback in the NFL. Starting the final three games of last season was likely helpful for his development, but now he's the man at the center of what can be a complex offense from Day 1.
Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson said there are times the coaches are feeling like Penix "just missed" the target and "the next time he's hitting those."
"So, that's been really positive," Robinson said. "[He's] doing a great job leading those guys and [we're] really pleased where Mike is at."
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There is a real kicker battle here, but it seems like incumbent Younghoe Koo has a proverbial leg up. Koo was 5-of-5 on kicks Friday, including makes from 55 and 50 yards out. Lenny Krieg, the German-born prospect, was 3-of-5, making kicks from 55 and 50, but missing from 47 and 43.
Kaden Elliss was one of the most underrated inside linebackers in all of football last season and has looked impressive so far in camp, playing mostly alongside free-agent signee Divine Deablo. Elliss had two sacks Friday in 11-on-11 work and has been a consistent run stuffer.
July 31
Rookie edge rusher Jalon Walker missed most of his third straight practice with what coach Raheem Morris referred to as a "minor" hamstring injury. Walker did individual drills and the walk-through Thursday, but didn't participate in the main 11-on-11 portion of practice.
Morris said Walker's issue is a "short-term" thing and he's been "champing at the bit" to get back to team work. Before his absence, Walker had been working often with the first-team defense, which has also included fellow first-round pick (and fellow edge rusher) James Pearce Jr.
With Walker out, Khalid Kareem has impressed while getting some first-team reps. He seems to have a legitimate shot to make the 53-man roster on the edge, along with Walker, Pearce, Arnold Ebiketie, Leonard Floyd and Bralen Trice.
Rookie safety Xavier Watts missed the 11-on-11 portion of practice, though it's unclear if he is dealing with any kind of injury. Watts had been alternating with Jordan Fuller on the first-team defense in what has been one of the more intriguing position battles in camp.
Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. ran a really nice two-minute drill, finding wide receiver Drake London on three out of four passing attempts. Penix found Ray-Ray McCloud III on a crossing route to get inside the red zone, but then got intercepted by cornerback Natrone Brooks on a pass attempt that wasn't high enough to London.
Pearce had back-to-back sacks against quarterback Kirk Cousins in a two-minute drill. For the second one, he was joined by veteran Morgan Fox, who was signed as a free agent this past offseason from the Los Angeles Chargers. Pearce has been a disruptive force so far this training camp.
Tuesday, July 29
Raheem Morris was asked Tuesday if he believed wide receiver Darnell Mooney (shoulder) would be ready for Week 1. The Falcons coach was non-committal. He said as of now, Mooney is considered to be out for a "couple of weeks" and they'll know more about his status as his rehab progresses. It wasn't the best news for a team that doesn't have the most depth at receiver.
KhaDarel Hodge, a special teams ace, has been getting most of the work as a third wide receiver with the first-team offense, joining Drake London and Ray-Ray McCloud III. Veteran DJ Chark Jr., who was signed Friday, got his first reps with the second team Tuesday. Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. brought up David Sills V and Chris Blair as under-the-radar guys who have stepped up. Both Sills and Blair got some first-team reps Tuesday. Mooney being out is another mark in the column for why the Falcons need a big year from tight end Kyle Pitts.
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Left guard Matthew Bergeron addressed Tuesday the scuffle he got into with rookie edge rusher James Pearce Jr. during practice Sunday. Bergeron said Pearce is "disruptive" and someone who will win them games this season. He said that he and Pearce talked things out and are good now.
Linebacker Kaden Elliss gushed about having someone of the caliber of Kirk Cousins as the Falcons' second-team quarterback: "Second day, he comes out first couple periods and he's just hitting quick, on-rhythm, fast, quick, speed, [like] we're in the middle of December. And I told the guys, I was like, 'Hey, we got to tighten up.'"
Sunday, July 27
The intensity from the defense at this juncture of training camp is exponentially higher this year than last. The defense already has several forced fumbles, including two from cornerback Mike Hughes on Saturday, and the pass rush has looked revitalized. Defensive lineman Ruke Orhorhoro ran by Kirk Cousins on one play during a red-zone drill after beating his man and would have flattened the quarterback had it been a game situation. Rookie James Pearce Jr. got his hand on a Cousins pass that Cousins was so impressed with that he sought out Pearce after practice to mention it. There were also several scuffles during practice Sunday.
"They're going to be that way all the time -- hair on fire," Cousins said of new defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich's defense. "It's how they coach it. It's how they rush the passer, and I think that's the way I'd want to coach and the way I'd want to be led if I was a [defensive] player."
The kicker competition in Atlanta could be interesting. Veteran Younghoe Koo was 4-of-5 on field-goal attempts in practice, while rookie Lenny Krieg was 5-of-5, including a pair over 50 yards that might have been good from 65 yards out. Krieg is a German-born player who impressed at the combine.
Offensive line coach Dwayne Ledford is a lifelong professional wrestling fan and he and the offensive line spent time reminiscing this weekend about the legendary Hulk Hogan, who died Thursday at the age of 71. Ledford said he coaches his kids in baseball in the summer and when he talks strategy, "I try to sound like the Hulkster -- let me tell you something, brother!"
Saturday, July 26
Wide receiver Darnell Mooney, who will be out for several weeks after a shoulder injury suffered on Thursday, was at practice on the sidelines Saturday taking in the action. There aren't many worries internally about his health long-term, according to sources. The Falcons signed veteran wide receiver DJ Chark Jr. on Friday, but assistant general manager Kyle Smith said Saturday that Chark was already scheduled to visit Atlanta before Mooney's injury and those two things aren't necessarily related.
Without Mooney, the team's No. 2 receiver, working with the first team, KhaDarel Hodge got reps alongside No. 1 receiver Drake London and Ray-Ray McCloud III with the 1s. The Falcons also mixed in some two-tight end sets with Kyle Pitts and Charlie Woerner. Pitts left practice early, as planned, due to limitations stemming from offseason injuries. In his absence, Teagan Quitoriano worked with the first team, and quarterback Michael Penix Jr. found him for a solid gain in 11-on-11s.
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The Falcons had 4,000 people in attendance for practice on Saturday. The team did not have any crowds last training camp due to construction at their facility. But the first three practices, including one Sunday, are "sold out." They're not actually selling tickets, but distributing them.
Veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins might have found a favorite receiver with the team's second unit. David Sills V caught three of Cousins' nine completions Saturday. Sills has bounced around with three different teams since 2019 but brings size at 6-foot-3, 211 pounds.
Thursday, July 24
Wide receiver Darnell Mooney walked off the field accompanied by a trainer during practice after diving for a Michael Penix Jr. pass down the right sideline. Mooney couldn't come up with the pass on the play, which was ruled defensive pass interference. He did not return to practice.
Mooney was surely shaken up when his body hit the ground, but the extent of any potential injury was unknown as of Thursday evening. There should be more clarity on the situation this weekend when the Falcons resume practice. Losing Mooney, the team's No. 2 receiver, would be a blow. Atlanta doesn't have a ton of depth at the position with starting experience behind him, Drake London and Ray-Ray McCloud III.
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Rookie edge rushers Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. both got reps with the first-team defense in practice, with edge rushers Leonard Floyd and Arnold Ebiketie working mostly with the second team. As expected, the Falcons are going to throw the two first-round picks into the fire early.
The Falcons had a crowd at its facility for training camp practice Thursday for the first time in two years. Last summer, the team was having construction done and fans were unable to attend. They did a pair of open practices for fans in 2024, but this year there are 11 open practices, including pair of joint sessions with the Tennessee Titans.
Wednesday, July 23
There was big praise for the Falcons rookie class on arrival day. Pro Bowl right guard Chris Lindstrom said the rookies "blew my doors off" in terms of preparation and how they worked during the spring. Veteran linebacker Kaden Elliss said the "sky is the limit" for No. 15 overall pick Jalon Walker, who will start the season mainly as an edge rusher. Elliss said Walker, who played both at an inside linebacker and edge at Georgia, could excel at either position, if not a hybrid of both.
"I'm excited for him," Elliss said. "I understand why they drafted him. I see the explosiveness and, man, he's always got a smile on him."
Walker and No. 26 overall pick James Pearce Jr., another edge rusher, are expected to play early and often for a Falcons team that has struggled in recent years at getting to the quarterback.
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The Falcons will begin practice Thursday and there are no expected holdouts. Tight end Kyle Pitts, who is in a contract year, was seen Wednesday morning arriving after missing the spring with an injury.