The Atlanta Falcons have made several moves since setting their initial 53-man roster, but they finished filling out their 16-man practice squad on Wednesday morning. The team brought back three familiar faces, including defensive lineman Zach Harrison, who was one of the biggest surprise cuts.
Falcons general manager Ian Cunningham met with the media to discuss the team's 53-man roster and said he was happy to get Harrison back on the practice squad. Cunningham also praised Michael Penix Jr.'s dedication in his return from ACL surgery.
In today's Falcons Wire Recap, Cunningham gets prodded about the QB competition, Bijan Robinson is voted the NFL's No. 3 player by his peers, an NFL exec thinks Jack Strand could win the starting job, the Raiders
name Kirk Cousins their starter, and we examine Atlanta's latest practice squad moves.
Falcons sign Zach Harrison, 2 others to practice squad
The Falcons have filled out all 16 spots on their practice squad, announcing a handful of moves on Wednesday morning. The team signed defensive lineman Zach Harrison, edge Khalid Kareem and defensive back Jammie Robinson, while releasing cornerback Cobee Bryant and defensive end Cameron Sample in corresponding moves.
Harrison was easily the team's most surprising cut. The former third-round pick was expected to start this season along the new-look defensive line, but instead Atlanta waived Harrison one day after setting its initial 53-man roster. Check out the team's updated practice squad below.
Falcons practice squad: WR Vinny Anthony, DT Carlos Allen Jr., OL Kam Dewberry, WR Dylan Drummond, RB Tyler Goodson, DB Darnay Holmes, OT Riley Mahlman, OL James Brockermeyer, TE Nick Muse, RB Cash Jones, TE Jack Velling, WR Juice Wells, OL Josh Thompson, DB Jammie Robinson, DL Zach Harrison, EDGE Khalid Kareem. | PS tracker
Falcons sign DL Zach Harrison, two others to practice squad
— The Falcons Wire (@TheFalconsWire) September 2, 2026
📸 Scott Taetsch, Getty Images https://t.co/Ay9YAmNnEH pic.twitter.com/hWOhIddabx
Bijan Robinson's NFL top 100 segment: Watch
If you find yourself doubting what Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson can accomplish, just ask his rivals - who apparently think of him as an elite player regardless of position. NFL Network is winding down their annual Top 100 list of the best players in the league as voted on by the players themselves. The Falcons' superstar running back just came in at a stunning No. 3 on the list. Watch below.
No. 3 on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2026…@AtlantaFalcons RB Bijan Robinson! @NFLFilms pic.twitter.com/seqOFrSuVx
— NFL (@NFL) September 2, 2026
Falcons GM Ian Cunningham talks Penix, QB battle
Falcons general manager Ian Cunningham met with the media on Wednesday and was asked all about the quarterback competition, including whose decision it would ultimately be to name the Week 1 starter.
"We all talk about it. We've all been talking about it forever," Cunningham responded. "So at the end of the day, we'll make the decision. And when it's time to make the decision, we'll let you know."
When asked whether or not Penix would be ready for Week 1, the first-year Falcons GM didn't rule it out.
"For him to be where he's at, it shows because he's been working his tail off to get to this point," said Cunningham. "And our staff putting a really good plan together for him to get to the point of 11-on-11 to where we're having these conversations where - who's going to be the starting quarterback, and is he going to be ready - it goes to show you he's put himself in that position because of the work that he's put in."
What Falcons GM Ian Cunningham said about QB competition
— The Falcons Wire (@TheFalconsWire) September 2, 2026
📸 Rich Storry, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect https://t.co/SjEyVXrev1 pic.twitter.com/X18dhptMvE
NFL exec thinks Jack Strand can win QB1 job
It sounds like the rest of the NFL is severely down on the Atlanta Falcons going into the 2026 season. The Athletic just came out with a polling of anonymous league executives where they voted on the best teams in the NFC from 1-16. The Falcons came in just shy of the bottom, and apparently one exec believes that undrafted rookie Jack Strand might end up winning the QB1 job.
"The Falcons won their final four games last season to finish 8-9. It feels like they've lost four straight entering 2026, mostly because the quarterback situation remains a big concern. It might be the (Jack) Strand kid who winds up with that job." - Anonymous NFL exec to Mike Sando
NFL exec says undrafted rookie Jack Strand might win Falcons QB job
— The Falcons Wire (@TheFalconsWire) September 2, 2026
📸 Rich Storry, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect https://t.co/Pd9BZ7yU3g pic.twitter.com/V9Bjfv58zt
Kirk Cousins beats out No. 1 pick for Raiders QB1 job
Former Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins continues to find work (and millions of dollars) pretty much wherever he goes. The Raiders officially named Cousins their Week 1 starter over No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza on Wednesday. Cousins' time in Atlanta won't be remembered fondly, nor should it.
His promising first season was derailed after he hid an injury and ended up losing the starting job to Michael Penix Jr. We'll see how Cousins handles his new gig in Las Vegas. Meanwhile, the Falcons are now the only NFL team yet to name a starting QB.
Raiders HC Klint Kubiak on the expected selection of Kirk Cousins as his opening day starting QB: “He played really good football. I’m really happy with all three of our quarterbacks. Kirk’s had a really good offseason, very good camp and he's earned it.” pic.twitter.com/wE1Sq1gDhF
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 2, 2026
The Falcons will return to action on September 13 in their 2026 NFL regular season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Falcons Recap: Familiar faces, GM praises Penix, Raiders start Cousins
