Projecting the Falcons' depth chart for Week 1 game vs. Steelers

The Atlanta Falcons trimmed their roster down to 53 players and filled out all 16 practice squad slots, but questions still remain at the quarterback position. While there has been no official confirmation from the team, NFL insiders have been whispering that the team would prefer to play Michel Penix Jr.

With Penix having only just returned to practice, though, there's no guarantee he will be ready for Week 1. However, the fact that the Falcons haven't simply declared the fully healthy Tua Tagovailoa as the starter makes me think they believe Penix will be back in time.

There are a few other question marks around Atlanta's starting defense. Billy Bowman Jr. has been activated but is still likely a few weeks away. With Bowman potentially out,

we think rookie Avieon Terrell will open up the season as the starting nickel.

Check out where all 53 players fall on our latest Falcons depth chart projection for the 2026 season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Quarterback

1. Michael Penix Jr. (9)
2. Tua Tagovailoa (1)
3. Cooper Rush (13)
4. Jack Strand (18)

Running Back

1. Bijan Robinson (7)
2. Brian Robinson Jr. (15)

Wide Receiver

1. Drake London (5)
2. Chris Blair (19)

Wide Receiver

1. Jahan Dotson (4)

Wide Receiver (Slot)

1. Zachariah Branch (17)
2. Olamide Zaccheaus (14)

Tight End

1. Kyle Pitts (8)
2. Charlie Woerner (89)
3. Austin Hooper (81)

Left Tackle

1. Jake Matthews (70)
2. Michael Jerrell (72)

Left Guard

1. Matthew Bergeron (65)
2. Kyle Hinton (68)

Center

1. Ryan Neuzil (64)
2. Corey Levin (62)

Right Guard

1. Chris Lindstrom (63)
2. Ethan Onianwa (75)

Right Tackle

1. Jawaan Taylor (71)
2. Cameron Williams (73)

Defensive Line

1. Brandon Dorlus (54)

Defensive Line (NT)

1. Maason Smith(92)
2. LaCale London (94)

Defensive Line

1. Gervon Dexter (95)
2. Da'Shawn Hand (90)

EDGE

1. Samsom Ebukam (52)
2. Jared Ivey (51)

EDGE

1. Za'Darius Smith (55)
2. Cameron Thomas (99)
3. Yasir Abdullah (22)

Inside Linebacker

1. Divine Deablo (0)
2. Kendal Daniels (53)

Inside Linebacker

1. Christian Harris (45)
2. Harold Perkins Jr. (56)
3. Josh Woods (42)

Cornerback

1. A.J. Terrell (24)
2. C.J. Henderson (26)

Cornerback

1. Mike Hughes (21)
2. Malcolm DeWalt (36)

CB3/Nickel

1. Avieon Terrell (12)
2. Mike Ford (28)
3. Billy Bowman Jr. (33)

Free Safety

1. Xavier Watts
2. DeMarcco Hellams

Strong Safety

1. Jessie Bates III
2. Sydney Brown

Special Teams

• LS: Liam McCullough (49)
• K: Nick Folk (6)
• P: Jake Bailey (16)
• KR: Brian Robinson Jr. (15)
• PR: Zachariah Branch

The Falcons have over a week before their regular season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, September 13 at 1 p.m. ET.

This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Projecting the Falcons' depth chart for Week 1 game vs. Steelers