Atlanta Falcons News

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Kirk Cousins • QB • Falcons

Kirk Cousins Set For Bounce-Back Year?

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler is taking Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (Achilles) as his pick as the biggest-name QB coming off an injury in 2024 to have a bounce-back performance. Cousins is recovering from an Achilles tear from last year, but the fact that he's a pure pocket passer will make his recovery from the injury that much more easier in 2024. The Falcons offense also has three former top-10 picks in receiver Drake London, running back Bijan Robinson and tight end Kyle Pitts, and Cousins is fully expected to help take all of their games to the next level in his first year in Atlanta. Cousins is expected to be ready to go for Week 1 on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The former Vikings signal-caller isn't on the QB1 radar in fantasy this year while coming off his Achilles injury, but he has the potential to serve as a high-end backup if he stays healthy.

Yesterday

Kyle Pitts • TE • Falcons

Kyle Pitts Good To Go For Week 1

Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts (hamstring) was a full participant in practice on Friday for the second day in a row and is not included on the final injury report for the Week 1 regular-season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers. There was some panic about Pitts' status this week when he was limited on the first official injury report back on Wednesday, but that concern is now gone and he'll suit up this weekend. The 23-year-old former first-rounder had high expectations coming into the NFL as fourth overall pick in 2021 out of Florida. He responded immediately with a 1,000-yard season in his rookie year, but it came with just one touchdown. Pitts underwhelmed the last two years, but he also hasn't worked with great QBs. Many folks are expecting his fourth season to be his best in 2024 now that QB Kirk Cousins is leading the offense. Pitts should be locked into fantasy lineups in Week 1.

Yesterday

Kyle Pitts • TE • Falcons

Kyle Pitts Says He'll Definitely Play In Week 1

Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts (hamstring) was a limited participant at practice on Wednesday and then practiced in full on Thursday. As reported by D. Orlando Ledbetter, Pitts says that he'll be 100% ready to go on Sunday in their contest against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The 23-year-old is entering a very important season in his career now that he has a quarterback with more throwing ability than any other one he played with so far. Expectations are higher for Pitts and the Falcons offense as a whole, so the fact that he says he should be 100% healthy is encouraging. With this news, fantasy managers should be more comfortable playing him against the Steelers as he tries to get back to big receiving numbers like his rookie season.

Yesterday

Kyle Pitts • TE • Falcons

Kyle Pitts Participates In Full On Thursday

Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts (hamstring) participated in full in Thursday's practice, according to Josh Kendall of The Athletic. Pitts was a limited participant in the team's first official practice on Wednesday. However, seeing that he was a full-go on Thursday is an excellent sign for his status entering the season opener on Sunday afternoon. Fantasy managers should continue to follow any updates regarding Pitts, but he should be expected to suit up over the weekend. The Florida product hopes to enjoy a nice bounce-back campaign, as he has yet to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark since his debut season, and with his new quarterback Kirk Cousins, he could be in a great position to do so. Fantasy managers should feel comfortable starting Pitts this weekend against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

2 days ago

Kyle Pitts • TE • Falcons

Kyle Pitts Expects To Be 100 Percent For Week 1

Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts (hamstring) said he expects to be 100 percent healthy for Week 1 of the regular season this Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers despite being listed as limited in the team's first official practice of the regular season on Wednesday. Pitts said he missed just a few plays during Wednesday's practice and will be on the field this weekend as the Falcons look to get off to a quick start with a new coaching staff and quarterback in Kirk Cousins. If Pitts isn't blowing smoke, he should return to a full practice by Friday and be cleared from the final injury report altogether. Unless something changes with his status, fantasy managers are going to want to have the 23-year-old locked into their starting lineups as a top-10 TE in Week 1, with Cousins expected to raise his ceiling considerably.

3 days ago

Kyle Pitts • TE • Falcons

Kyle Pitts Dealing With Hamstring Injury

Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts (hamstring) is dealing with a hamstring injury and will be limited at practice on Wednesday, according to head coach Raheem Morris. It's not what fantasy managers that drafted Pitts want to see, but it would still be somewhat of a surprise if he's unable to play in the Week 1 regular-season opener this Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The 23-year-old has an opportunity to break out in 2024 as a high-end TE1 this year in fantasy with quarterback Kirk Cousins now leading the offense, but he's going to need to stay healthy to do so. If for some reason Pitts is limited in Week 1, it's unlikely that either Charlie Woerner or Ross Dwelley would be worth a look as a streaming option to kick off the season. Check back on Pitts' status later this week, but unless something changes, he should be in starting lineups in fantasy in Week 1.

3 days ago

Nathan Peterman • QB • Falcons

Nathan Peterman Joins Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons have signed quarterback Nathan Peterman to their practice squad on Tuesday. The veteran signal-caller was recently released by the Las Vegas Raiders. Peterman played in the preseason with Las Vegas, but failed to snag a backup spot on the roster. The 30-year-old played two games with the Chicago Bears in 2023. He has mainly been a backup throughout his career, which is what he'll do in Atlanta. Peterman will remain on the practice squad and serve as emergency depth for the organization.

3 days ago

Kyle Pitts • TE • Falcons

Kyle Pitts To Be Utilized More On Shorter Routes?

Atlanta Falcons reporter Joe Patrick writes that Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts was the most impressive pass-catcher of the group in terms of volume and ability early in training camp. As camp progressed, Pitts' volume changed and he was catching balls on shorter routes at times. The biggest change is that it seems he's not the player used primarily to stretch the field vertically like he was last year. New quarterback Kirk Cousins also has better anticipation than the previous QBs Pitts has worked with and can deliver the ball in ways that allow for more run-after-the-catch opportunities for Pitts. Last year, Pitts was hampered by injuries and he looked much better in camp this summer. Most fantasy football pundits are expecting a bounce-back year for the 23-year-old in 2024 with Cousins in the fold as a midrange TE1.

4 days ago

Casey Washington • WR • Falcons

Casey Washington In Contention For WR4 Role

Atlanta Falcons rookie sixth-round wide receiver Casey Washington is already looking like a real value pick for the Falcons, as he's made some of the team's best catches in training camp and is in contention for Atlanta's fourth wide receiver role after the loss of Rondale Moore to a season-ending injury. Washington is competing with the likes of Chris Blair and KhaDarel Hodge for the No. 4 role behind Drake London, Darnell Mooney and Ray-Ray McCloud III. The Falcons' offense is much more attractive to fantasy managers now that head coach Arthur Smith is gone and quarterback Kirk Cousins is leading the show. The 23-year-old had 49 catches for 670 yards and four touchdowns in his final season at Illinois last year. For now with just a depth role in Atlanta, Washington is one to watch in dynasty/keeper leagues.

Aug 25

Jase McClellan • RB • Falcons

Jase McClellan Should Make The Team As Fourth Running Back

Atlanta Falcons rookie sixth-round running back Jase McClellan (undisclosed) has been banged up the past few weeks in training camp but should make the final 53-man roster as a fourth running back. The former Alabama product carried the ball four times for 12 yards and added an 11-yard catch on his only target in the team's preseason finale on Friday against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The 22-year-old picked up 55 rushing yards last week against the Baltimore Ravens and looks lined up as the team's RB4 behind Bijan Robinson, Tyler Allgeier and Carlos Washington. McClellan fell to the sixth round in April because of a foot injury that cut his final season short at Alabama last year. His skill set doesn't particularly stand out, but McClellan is a well-rounded rookie that will give Atlanta depth at the position. McClellan is only worth stashing in deep dynasty/keeper leagues.

Aug 25

Darnell Mooney • WR • Falcons

Darnell Mooney Locked In As WR2

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney impressed during training camp and is the team's clear WR2 heading into the 2024 season. Matt Urben of Falcons Wire said that Mooney and tight end Kyle Pitts "continued to make plays as they have throughout training camp" during the final scrimmage at Wednesday's open practice. The fifth-year wideout did not get a lick of preseason action yet finds himself as the clear-cut second option in the Falcons' wide receiver corps. He'll still have Bijan Robinson and Drake London to vie against for targets, as well as Pitts. However, Mooney holds a bit of appeal despite potentially being the fourth option in his offense. A fully healthy Kirk Cousins will be a big boost to the entire unit, and Mooney is far and away the cheapest option of this group in fantasy drafts. He's Yahoo!'s WR70 in ADP and a strong target in best ball drafts.

Aug 25

Carlos Washington Jr. • RB • Falcons

Carlos Washington Jr. Finishes Preseason With Inefficient Performance Friday

Atlanta Falcons running back Carlos Washington Jr. finished his preseason with an inefficient seven rushing yards on four attempts while pitching in one reception for seven yards in Friday night's 31-0 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Washington finished the preseason the way he began it, and it can't bode well for his spot on the depth chart with the beginning of the season right around the corner. Although he did find the endzone one time, Washington finished the preseason with an abysmal 2.4 YPC on 29 attempts. Jase McClellan outperformed him in every way during camp, and it wouldn't be surprising to see McClellan jump Washington as the RB3 on the depth chart to begin the season.

Aug 24

Jase McClellan • RB • Falcons

Jase McClellan Finishes Preseason With 12 Yards Rushing

Atlanta Falcons running back Jase McClellan finished Friday's preseason game rushing 12 yards on four attempts with one catch on one target for 11 yards in a 31-0 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Although he didn't see much usage in this game due to very minimal offense and time of possession by the Falcons, McClellan finished with solid numbers overall to finish the preseason. McClellan averaged 4.0 YPC on 24 attempts to close out camp, and with Carlos Washington Jr.'s poor performance during the preseason, the strong showing could move him up to the third-string running back to start the season.

Aug 24

Spencer Brown • RB • Falcons

Spencer Brown Leads Falcons In Rushing On Friday

Atlanta Falcons running back Spencer Brown led the team in rushing in Friday night's preseason finale with 51 yards on 11 rushes with no targets in the air in a 31-0 blowout loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Brown impressed Friday night even though the team did nothing on the offensive side overall. Despite zero work in the passing game this preseason, the young running back had an impressive 5.1 YPC in 15 attempts in the two games that he played. The positive play is always a good sign during this time, but unfortunately for Brown, he will be nowhere near the playing field for the Falcons this upcoming season with at least four running backs ahead of him on the depth chart.

Aug 24

Casey Washington • WR • Falcons

Casey Washington Leads Falcons In Receiving Yards Friday

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Casey Washington finished Friday's final preseason game with two catches for 32 yards on six targets in a 31-0 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. There was no production or efficiency on the offensive side from Taylor Heinicke and the rest of the Falcons. Still, it was another good sign that Washington led the team in targets for both of the preseason games in which he played. KhaDarel Hodge and Ray-Ray McCloud III are firmly ahead of Washington on the depth chart as the No. 3 and 4 wide receivers, meaning a lot would have to go his way to have any fantasy relevance in 2024.

Aug 24

Tyler Allgeier • RB • Falcons

Tyler Allgeier To Handle Meaningful Workload?

Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier rushed for 1,035 yards in his 2022 rookie season, but that didn't stop the team from selecting Bijan Robinson in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Allgeier spent last season as a secondary ball carrier for Atlanta, rushing 186 times for 683 yards and four touchdowns. With former head coach Arthur Smith gone, many believe Robinson will become a true workhorse running back, but Falcons writer Daniel Flick predicted Allgeier could see roughly 14 carries per game in 2024. He clarified that Robinson could see about 16 carries per game plus work in the passing attack, but it's worth noting Allgeier is likely to remain involved in the offense. Given the high injury rate at the running back position, Allgeier is worth stashing in deeper setups. If Robinson has to miss any action this year, Allgeier would be moved into the starting role behind a top-tier offensive line as a part of an ascending offense under new quarterback Kirk Cousins.

Aug 22

A.J. Terrell Jr. • CB • Falcons

A.J. Terrell Agrees To Four-Year Extension With Falcons

Atlanta Falcons All-Pro cornerback A.J. Terrell agreed to a four-year, $81 million contract extension that includes $65.8 million guaranteed, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport. The No. 16 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft out of Clemson has racked up 247 tackles, one sack, four forced fumbles, four interceptions, and 43 passes defended in his first 61 pro games. He was named a second-team All-Pro in 2021. Terrell now becomes the second-highest-paid cornerback in NFL history, and the Falcons lock down a key defensive piece to go along with Pro Bowl safeties Jessie Bates III and Justin Simmons.

Aug 22

Matthew Judon • LB • Falcons

Matthew Judon Not Demanding A New Contract

New Atlanta Falcons linebacker Matthew Judon said he isn't going to demand a new contract with the Falcons. "The Falcons know nothing about me as a football player or as a man. They know my previous resume. I can't really demand or ask for anything I haven't worked for. I'm gonna work for it," Judon said. Atlanta acquired Judon from the New England Patriots last week in exchange for a 2025 third-round pick. The 32-year-old was seeking a new contract with the Patriots while he heads into the final year of his four-year, $54.5 million deal. He'll immediately become the Falcons' best pass-rusher after making four straight Pro Bowls from 2019-22. Judon tore his right biceps in Week 4 of last year and only missed the rest of the year, but he had a combined 74 solo tackles and 28 sacks in the two previous years in New England. Coming off a serious injury, fantasy managers in IDP leagues will want to take a wait-and-see approach with Judon in 2024.

Aug 19

Michael Penix Jr. • QB • Falcons

Michael Penix Jr. Won't Play In Preseason Finale

According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. won't suit up for the team's preseason finale versus Jacksonville. Fortunately, it appears the rookie isn't injured. However, head coach Raheem Morris opted to hold him out of Saturday's matchup with the Baltimore Ravens. With that said, Kirk Cousins (Achilles) won't suit up, meaning Taylor Heinicke and John Paddock will presumably close out the preseason for Atlanta before the club preparers for Week 1 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Aug 19

Carlos Washington Jr. • RB • Falcons

Carlos Washington Jr. Rushes For 39 Yards Saturday

Atlanta Falcons running back Carlos Washington Jr. ran nine times in Saturday's game for 39 yards while receiving no work in the passing game in a 13-12 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday. After averaging less than 2.0 yards per carry last week on 16 attempts, Washington was much more efficient on the ground this week, averaging over 9.0 per carry. The 25-year-old seemed to have the edge over Jase McClellan for the RB3 job according to the Falcons' official depth chart, but now it seems to be a tight-knit race for that job with McLellan running the ball extremely well so far in the first two preseason games. Look for this race for the RB3 spot to continue on Friday when the Falcons take on the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Aug 18

Atlanta Falcons News

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