Not much has gone right for the Atlanta Falcons so far against the San Francisco 49ers - who are missing the top 17 wide receivers on their depth chart due to injuries.
What little hope there has been has come in the form of rookie wide receiver Zachariah Branch, who has made a couple of big plays to make up for the two fumbles he committed last week, including a 61-yard kick return to begin their first possession. Branch also broke off a nice chunk of yards on a reverse called by offensive coordinator Tommy Rees.
That set up a short play action touchdown pass from Michael Penix Jr. to Tanner Muse, who scored to celebrate National Tight Ends Day.
It's a small sample size, but
Penix has been sharp so far, completing seven of eight pass attempts for 56 yards, one touchdown and a 135.4 passer rating.
Veteran kicker Nick Folk missed the extra point attempt though, so it's 14-9 Niners halfway through the second quarter.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Trick play for Zachariah Branch sets up Falcons touchdown
