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Gets moved to ATL The Patriots traded Judon to the Falcons on Wednesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Impact In the final year of his current contract, Judon was seeking a new deal in the offseason, and the situation lingered into training camp. Now that he's moving to Atlanta, there's a good chance the soon-to-be 32-year-old gets an extension of some type while also serving as the top pass rusher for his new squad. In three seasons in New England, Judon racked up 133 tackles, including 32.0 sacks, in 38 regular-season games.
AUGUST 14 • ROTOWIRE

NFC breakout candidates: A new potential star for every team

Here are 16 players to watch in 2024 — one from each NFC club who might not be well-known beyond his own fan base, but soon can be.
AUGUST 14
NFC breakout candidates: A new potential star for every team
Goes back to PUP list Atlanta placed Burns (undisclosed) on its reserve-PUP list Tuesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Impact The Falcons waived Burns on Monday after he failed a physical, but now he's back with the team since no other club claimed him during the last waiver period. Until he's healthy enough to play again, Carlos Washington could see increased reps at practice.
AUGUST 14 • ROTOWIRE

When is the right time to start a rookie QB? Those who’ve made the call tell all

Of the six first-round QBs this season, some will start and some will sit. How do NFL teams decide? FOX Sports talked to coaches and execs p...
AUGUST 13
When is the right time to start a rookie QB? Those who’ve made the call tell all
Will miss significant time Head coach Raheem Morris announced that Hellams (ankle) will be out for an extended time, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.
Impact Hellams suffered an ankle injury during Friday's preseason game versus the Dolphins and that will now force him to miss significant time. In his absence, Lukas Denis and Josh Thompson could be in line for more playing time.
AUGUST 12 • ROTOWIRE
Tears ACL in preseason opener Head coach Raheem Morris confirmed Monday that Trice tore his ACL in Friday's preseason loss to the Dolphins, Marc Raimondi of ESPN.com reports.
Impact Trice sustained the injury in the second quarter of Friday's game, and he was placed on the reserve/injured list Sunday. The rookie third-round pick out of Washington was set to play a key role in the Falcons' defense alongside starting outside linebackers Arnold Ebiketie and Lorenzo Carter. Trice will now turn his attention to rehabbing and recovering from his torn ACL and come back fully healthy for 2025.
AUGUST 12 • ROTOWIRE
Makes impact in preseason opener King recorded three tackles (two solo), a forced fumble, two pass defenses and an interception during Sunday's 20-13 preseason loss to the Dolphins.
Impact King is trying to revitalize his career and took a big step toward securing a roster spot during his first appearance in a Falcons' uniform. The 2017 second-round pick started 42 games for the Packers across five seasons but hasn't played since 2021 due to multiple devastating injuries. Atlanta has been rumored to be interested in the remaining free-agent CBs, but if King continues to play at this level, he may put those notions to rest.
AUGUST 12 • ROTOWIRE
Sports leg sleeve at practice Koo sported a sleeve on his kicking leg during Monday's practice, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Impact Koo made both of his attempts during Atlanta's preseason opener, including a 53-yarder in the third quarter. The reasoning behind the leg sleeve remains unclear, but Ledbetter noted that Koo missed a 51-yard attempt during Monday's practice. Koo hasn't missed a game over the past three seasons.
AUGUST 12 • ROTOWIRE
Path to roster spot on ST Abernathy is expected to make the Falcons' initial 53-man roster, Josh Kendall of The Athletic reports.
Impact Abernathy, a 2022 UDFA, made 12 appearances for the Falcons in 2023, totaling 23 defensive snaps and 273 special-team snaps. While Abernathy's main role is expected to be on special teams, DeMarcco Hellams' long-term ankle injury may open up more secondary snaps early in 2024. Abernathy recorded four tackles (three solo) during Atlanta's preseason opener.
AUGUST 12 • ROTOWIRE

Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Bo Nix stand out in debuts of 6 first-round QBs

FOX Sports' NFL experts break down what we learned from the preseason debuts of the six QBs picked in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
AUGUST 12
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Bo Nix stand out in debuts of 6 first-round QBs
Goes on IR with knee injury The Falcons placed Trice on the reserve/injured list Sunday due to a knee injury.
Impact Trice left with athletic trainers in the second quarter of Friday's 20-13 preseason loss to the Dolphins. The season-ending injury is a huge blow to the rookie third-round linebacker, who was playing snaps with both the first- and second-team defenses during training camp. James Smith-Williams, Demone Harris and Bradlee Anae are the main candidates to earn more snaps at outside linebacker behind starters Arnold Ebiketie and Lorenzo Carter with Trice shelved for the entire 2024 season.
AUGUST 11 • ROTOWIRE
Out for season Hand (knee) was placed on injured reserve Sunday and is out for the season, Terrin Waack of the Falcons' official site reports.
Impact The cornerback had to leave practice early Wednesday after going down following a deep pass during an 11-on-11 drill, and it was later revealed that he suffered a knee injury. Hand signed with the Falcons in June after getting waived by the Bears in April of 2023. The 2020 fifth-round pick of the Vikings last saw NFL action in 2022.
AUGUST 11 • ROTOWIRE
Signs with Atlanta The Falcons signed Brown to a contract Sunday.
Impact Brown was waived by the Panthers with an injury settlement in May due to an unspecified injury. He worked out with the Browns in July, and while nothing came from that, the 25-year-old running back is back to full health and will look to earn a spot on the Falcons' 53-man roster. Brown has appeared in three regular-season games since entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2021.
AUGUST 11 • ROTOWIRE
Back with Atlanta Paddock re-signed with the Falcons on Sunday.
Impact The quarterback signed with Atlanta as an undrafted free agent in April but was waived Aug. 1 to make room for quarterback Nathan Rourke. Now, Rourke is gone and Paddock is back as the fourth quarterback behind Kirk Cousins, Michael Penix and Taylor Heinicke. In seven regular season games at Illinois last year, Paddock completed 59.4 percent of his passes for 1,278 yards and nine touchdowns.
AUGUST 11 • ROTOWIRE
Catches on with Atlanta The Falcons signed Grant to a one-year deal Saturday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Impact Grant missed all of 2023 after suffering a ruptured patellar tendon in the preseason. He had a tryout with the Giants in July, but he will now head to Atlanta to compete for a return specialist role with the Falcons. His last full season was in 2021, when he played 15 regular-season games between the Dolphins and Bears, accumulating 250 punt return yards and one touchdown while adding 11 catches for 132 yards and two touchdowns.
AUGUST 10 • ROTOWIRE
A.J. Terrell is Mic'd Up during joint practice with the Miami Dolphins | Atlanta Falcons
AUGUST 10 • YOUTUBE
Injures leg Trice injured his left leg in Friday's preseason 20-13 loss to the Dolphins, Terrin Waack of the Falcons' official website reports.
Impact Trice had to be assisted off the field by two trainers following a third-and-6 play from Atlanta's 43 yard line. The rookie got caught up in the mix along the line of scrimmage. After being selected in the third-round of this year's draft, he spent time with both the first and second team defenses at practice. It remains to be seen how serious his leg injury is.
AUGUST 10 • ROTOWIRE

Falcons rookie QB Michael Penix Jr. shines in debut: 'I was ready to go'

This preseason might mean more to Michael Penix Jr. than any other 2024 first-round pick. On Friday, he took advantage of his first opportun...
AUGUST 10
Falcons rookie QB Michael Penix Jr. shines in debut: 'I was ready to go'
Raheem Morris reflects on Atlanta Falcons first preseason performance against Miami Dolphins
AUGUST 10 • YOUTUBE
Struggles in exhibition opener Heinicke completed four of 11 passes for 11 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions and netted no gain on two carries in the Falcons' 20-13 preseason loss to the Dolphins on Frid...
Impact Heinicke was the second quarterback in after rookie eighth overall pick Michael Penix, entering the game with 6:34 remaining in the second quarter. The veteran signal-caller was partly victimized by playing with second- and third-string offensive linemen and skill players, helping explain his forgettable passing line. Nevertheless, Heinicke appears to still have a clear lead in his battle with recent arrival Nathan Rourke for the No. 3 quarterback job, and both players should once again see time in the Falcons' second exhibition game Aug. 17 against the Ravens.
AUGUST 10 • ROTOWIRE
Heavy volume in debut Washington secured three of nine targets for 27 yards in the Falcons' 20-13 preseason loss to the Dolphins on Friday night. He also recovered a fumble.
Impact While he posted an inefficient line overall, Washington was the subject of plenty of attention from the Falcons' quarterbacks while garnering team-high reception and target totals. The rookie sixth-round pick was the beneficiary of so much opportunity thanks in large part to Drake London, Darnell Mooney and Ray-Ray McCloud were all held out of action, but Washington should still get an opportunity to make his case for a roster spot during the Falcons' second exhibition game against the Ravens on Aug. 17.
AUGUST 10 • ROTOWIRE
Garners 43 total yards in opener McClellan rushed nine times for 30 yards and brought in two of four targets for 13 yards in the Falcons' 20-13 preseason loss to the Dolphins on Friday night.
Impact The rookie sixth-round pick was the second running back to garner a touch for the Falcons, with McClellan a beneficiary of the fact both Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier were held out of the exhibition opener. The Alabama product led the Falcons in rushing yardage, although 11 of his yards came on one carry. All iterations of Atlanta's offensive line struggled to open running lanes Friday, however, and McClellan's overall volume seems to indicate head coach Raheem Morris and his staff are willing to give him an ample platform to make a case for a deep reserve running back spot this preseason.
AUGUST 10 • ROTOWIRE
Miami Dolphins Top Plays vs. Atlanta Falcons | 2024 Preseason Week 1
AUGUST 10 • YOUTUBE
Solid showing in pro debut Penix started the Falcons' 20-13 preseason loss to the Dolphins on Friday night, completing nine of 16 passes for 104 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions.
Impact The rookie eighth overall pick played on the Falcons' first five possessions, leading Atlanta to 10 points overall on the third and fourth drives of the contest. Penix displayed solid command of the offense during his time in the game and connected with Chris Blair on a 41-yard pass for the Falcons' biggest pass play of the night. The performance was certainly an encouraging one for a pro debut, and with Kirk Cousins not slated to play this preseason, Penix should be afforded ample playing time again in Atlanta's second exhibition on the road against the Ravens on Aug. 17.
AUGUST 10 • ROTOWIRE

Rookie Michael Penix Jr. has good start for Falcons in 20-13 loss to Dolphins in preseason opener

Atlanta rookie Michael Penix Jr. completed 9 of 16 passes for 104 yards in the Falcons’ 20-13 loss to the Miami Dolphins on Friday night in the preseason opener for both teams
AUGUST 10 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
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