Rounding up the top stories from Atlanta’s opening training camp practice
The Atlanta Falcons returned to the field on Thursday morning for their first official training camp practice. Overall, the team kept things light on Day 1 to help the players get acclimated. Head coach Raheem Morris provided injury updates on Troy Andersen and Bralen Trice before practice began, while giving some insight into the team’s preseason plans.
Unlike last year, Michael Penix Jr. entered camp as the starting quarterback ahead of Kirk Cousins. Penix made sure to feed the ball to Pitts, who shined on Day 1. Wide receiver Darnell Mooney fell hard early in practice and was replaced by Chris Blair.
We’ve rounded up five takeaways from the Falcons‘ first official training camp practice below.
Linebacker Troy Andersen placed on PUP list
Andersen’s chance to seize the other starting inside linebacker job next to Kaden Elliss took a major hit on Thursday. Morris told reporters that Andersen (knee) was placed physically unable to perform (PUP) list to begin training camp. The former second-round pick has struggled to stay healthy over his first three seasons. With Andersen sidelined, Divine Deablo is in line to start this season. The team signed Deablo to a two-year deal in free agency, and it appears to be money well spent.
LB Bralen Trice is back
After missing his entire rookie season due to a knee injury, Trice is healthy and looking to make an impact. The former Washington standout joined his former teammate, Michael Penix Jr., in his first live action since 2024. Head coach Raheem Morris was enthusiastic about Trice’s return to the practice field:
“I was so fired up about Bralen last year,” said Morris. “I am again this year.”
Kyle Pitts looking good early
After missing the team’s previous offseason activities due to a foot injury, Pitts was back at it on Thursday morning. The former top-five pick was a favorite target of Penix on Day 1. While fans are hesitant to get excited about Pitts due to his lack of production in 2024, the fifth-year tight end is proving to me a matchup problem at camp yet again. Penix made it clear Pitts will be a big part of the offense.
“See we got Kyle Pitts the ball today? Gonna be a lot of that,” Penix told reporters after practice.
Darnell Mooney banged up, exits practice
Per team reporter Tori McElhaney, wide receiver Darnell Mooney “took a pretty hard fall after a deep ball from Penix.” Mooney, who finished just shy of 1,000 receiving yards last season, was replaced by Chris Blair following his injury. It’s possible the Falcons were just being cautious with Mooney, but the situation is worth keeping an eye on going forward.
Morris on preseason plan for starters, first fully padded practice
Morris gave some updates on the team’s plans for training camp and the preseason. The Falcons will hold their first fully padded practice on Tuesday, allowing players to get acclimated for the first few days. As for the preseason, Morris didn’t give a concrete answer on his plan for playing starters but indicated the team would take a similar approach to one they used last year. Atlanta was fairly cautious with its starters in 2024, so expect the same this time around.
