What is the story about?
FLOWERY
BRANCH, Ga. — It was an overcast day at the Falcons’ training facility in Flowery Branch as Atlanta took the field for their eighth training camp practice of 2026.
Kevin Stefanski spoke before practice, which consisted of team drills, some 7-on-7s and 11-on-11s, and some red zone work. The team will be in full pads for tomorrow’s Saturday Night Lights event at Lanier High School.
Here’s my reporting from the day:
Other notes and quotes from Friday’s practice:
- Kevin Stefanski did address Jalon Walker’s injury at the start of his availability, saying he was “disappointed,” but that Walker will be back. I wouldn’t expect that to be this season, unfortunately, but hopefully he’ll be 100% for 2027.
- Michael Penix Jr. was very limited on Friday, unsurprisingly. They aren’t going to push Penix and take risks with his long-term health and availability. He did get some work in 7-on-7s, hitting Drake London for a TD with excellent coverage from Xavier Watts, who almost turned it into a pick.
- Tua got quite a bit of work in 7s, 11s and red-zone drills. Assuming no setbacks with his lower back, I’d expect Tua to start next week’s preseason game. They’re rotating different players in and out, but in general Tua’s taking more snaps with the probable first team.
- Cooper Rush is getting more snaps than Jack Strand, who sailed a few passes today. The speed of the game is very different, but it does look like Strand is adjusting. I’m interested to see him in preseason action at closer to full speed. The kid has a serious arm.
- Matt Ryan ran some receiving drills with Drake London and Jahan Dotson during practice. “He always wants to throw,” London said after practice. My dream of Ryan unretiring and winning a ring with the Falcons this season remains intact (kidding, but also kinda not!)
- The energy was high today. Practice wasn’t full contact, but guys were playing fast and physical (lol sorry, I know many of you hate that phrasing by now, but it’s true).
- There was a bit of a battle for the ball between Avieon Terrell and Cash Jones that Jones talked with us about after practice, saying: “That’s our livelihood right there … the football. Any time you have a football, you don’t ever want to turn it over. We always — our goal is to give it back to the referee or the manager at any time possible, but (Aveion) is always working to get me better and all the other backs. So he tried to pop it up in the air, and we were trying to fight a little bit on the ground, but it was good work.”
- The DBs in particular were fun to watch on Friday. AJ Terrell prevented what would have been a gorgeous sideline catch by London by getting him out of bounds before he established possession. Cobee Bryant got flagged on one play with particularly sticky coverage (missed the WR’s jersey number).
- Drake London laid a massive block on Xavier Woods during 7-on-7s.
- After practice, Cash Jones spoke to the media. He says he doesn’t know much about this year’s UGA team, but he knows from his time in the program that they’re going to go in there, put their heads down, work hard, and have fun. On his former teammate at UGA, Zachariah Branch, he had high praise for his intelligence and versatility, saying, “He’s a super-smart kid.”
- Speaking of Zachariah Branch, I am once again calling bullshit on his “arrest” last spring. I know they dropped all of the charges, which was the right call, but there is zero chance he was “imposing” or intimidating enough to the cop(s) to justify arresting him in the first place.
- “Yeah, it’s fun to have a superhero back there,” Drake London said about Bijan Robinson’s hold-in ending and his return to practice.
- Tomorrow’s practice will be held under the Saturday Night Lights at Lanier High School. Full details can be found on the Falcons’ website. The Falcons will be in full pads, and based on the physicality we saw today, I think it’ll really be something. I’ll be there (and I’m hopeful Adnan will too!) and will have all of the coverage for you right here on The Falcoholic.
