The Atlanta Falcons' first joint practice session with the Indianapolis Colts is officially in the books, and the teams managed to get through Day 1 without any brawls or notable injuries.
Atlanta will hold one more joint practice with Indy on Thursday at 3 p.m. ET, then the two teams will face off on Saturday afternoon in their preseason matchup. Before we look ahead to the game, though, let's check out the top stories of the day.
In today's Falcons Wire Recap, the team faces off against the Colts, running back Trey Sermon goes on the injured reserve list, NFL.com lists Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa among Comeback Player of the Year contenders, and we check out the latest highlights from Wednesday's joint practice.
Tua throws deep TD to Drake London, pick-6 vs. Colts
The Falcons offense didn't
perform overly well by most accounts. Tua Tagovailoa threw a nice deep touchdown to Drake London on a beautifully placed ball. However, Tagovailoa also threw a pick-six, and reportedly completed eight of 13 passes in 11-on-11 drills. Watch his throw to Drake London below, as shared by the team's social media account.
Okay, Drake! 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/zfVQQBsY6z
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) August 19, 2026
Michael Penix goes deep for Dylan Drummond in 1-on-1s
Penix got in some 7-on-7 work and threw the ball to wide receivers in 1-on-1 drills on Wednesday. The third-year quarterback showed off his arm strength with a nice deep ball to wide receiver Dylan Drummond. He still may not be cleared for contract, but Penix is very much in the mix for Atlanta's QB1 job once he gets healthy. Watch the lefty air the ball out to Drummond, as shared by D. Orlando Ledbetter below.
Penix to Drummond. #Falcons in video. WRs torched #Colts DBs for most part. Dotson had a drop and another ball that was broken up in front of GM Ian Cunningham. pic.twitter.com/hAc1gFa1Ml
— D. Orlando Ledbetter (@BowTieSportsGuy) August 19, 2026
Falcons place RB Trey Sermon on IR
The Atlanta Falcons have placed running back Trey Sermon on the reserve/injured list, ESPN's Marc Raidmondi reported on Wednesday afternoon. Sermon, a former third-round pick, signed with the Falcons last Monday and appeared in the team's preseason-opening loss to the Denver Broncos.
The 27-year-old finished with just one rushing attempt for three yards and was targeted one time in the passing game. It's unclear what injury Sermon sustained or when it occurred, but he will join former first-round pick Jalon Walker on IR for the time being.
Falcons place running back on injured reserve list
— The Falcons Wire (@TheFalconsWire) August 19, 2026
📸 Nathan Ray Seebeck, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con https://t.co/2REYML4Vun pic.twitter.com/mNz5QgMDvs
Colts TE Tyler Warren injures groin, does not return
The Colts star tight end appeared to suffer some sort of groin injury during Wednesday's practice. According to ESPN's Colts reporter Stephen Holder, Warren stayed in uniform but did not return to field. The Colts may have just wanted to be cautious with the former first-round pick, but we'll see if he's back out there tomorrow.
Colts tight end Tyler Warren left practice with an apparent groin injury. He’s now back with his teammates on the sideline, still in uniform, but without a helmet. Assuming he’s done for at least today.
— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) August 19, 2026
Falcons QBs named Comeback Player of the Year candidates
According to Grant Gordon at NFL.com, both Falcons quarterbacks Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa among the top 10 contenders for the Comeback Player of the Year award. Penix came in at No. 7 on his list.
"…With their recent roster gambles not paying off like they hoped, the franchise’s trajectory might well ride on the left shoulder of Penix. He has just 14 NFL games under his belt, but he’s 26 and his play (2,757 passing yards, 12 touchdown passes, six interceptions in those 14 games) hasn’t come close to securing his spot as the future of the franchise at QB. Before he can attempt to prove anything with his play, he must first be cleared for 11-on-11 work and then, presumably, convince head coach Kevin Stefanski to give him the starting nod over Tua Tagovailoa."
Speaking of Tagovailoa, he just made the cut at No. 10 on Gordon's list.
"...Ultimately, his days with the Dolphins ended on the bench. That leads him to a pivotal season -- and a giant opportunity with Kevin Stefanski manning the sidelines. He might be the perfect fit for Tagovailoa, having already brought the better out of Kirk Cousins, Jacoby Brissett and Joe Flacco in past seasons with the Vikings as an offensive coordinator and with the Browns as their head coach."
Michael Penix, Tua Tagovailoa could both be in the mix for NFL's CPOY award
— The Falcons Wire (@TheFalconsWire) August 19, 2026
📸 Todd Kirkland, Getty Images https://t.co/QgJnwDpPyj pic.twitter.com/HAdECwCrBy
Falcons EDGE Za'Darius Smith has message for fans
The Falcons officially signed Za'Darius Smith on Tuesday, but the veteran edge rusher did not practice on Wednesday as he gets acclimated to his new surroundings. While Smith did not practice, he did choose a new uniform number. The 33-year-old will wear the No. 91 for Atlanta this season. Smith also recorded a video message for Falcons fans. Watch below.
Let‘s go, Big Z! pic.twitter.com/qTAgt7qEFH
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) August 18, 2026
Tua Tagovailoa speaks to media after practice
Falcons veteran quarterback Tua Tagovailoa took some questions after today's joint session with the Colts. Watch Tagovailoa, cornerback A.J. Terrell and others discuss Wednesday's practice, as shared by the team's YouTube channel below.
Falcons to hold 2nd joint practice with Colts on Thursday
Atlanta will return for another round of practice with the Colts on Thursday at 3 p.m. ET. Expect the teams to play more first-string vs. first-string since the Falcons don't plan to play their starters in Saturday's preseason game - which starts at 1 p.m. ET at Lucas Oil Stadium.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Falcons Recap: Latest from joint practice with Colts, injury news
