Atlanta Falcons: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Michael Penix Jr. News / NFL on ClutchPoints / September 16

What Falcons’ Michael Penix Jr. said about possibly returning from knee injury in Week 2

After the Atlanta Falcons’ disappointing Week 1 20-13 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the fanbase has been concerned about the quarterback position after Cooper Rush started last Sunday.

Atlanta Falcons News / Field Level Media / September 16

Falcons coach not ready to name Week 2 starting QB

The Atlanta Falcons have four quarterbacks on their depth chart but none ready to be named the starter for the next game, head coach Kevin Stefanski said on Wednesday.

Kansas City Chiefs News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The '10K-yard, 80-TD NFL receivers' quiz

How many of the NFL receivers to rack up at least 10,00 yards and 80 touchdowns in their career can you name in five minutes?

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Ranking the next five-year windows for each NFL team

Every NFL team tries to build a dynasty and win Super Bowls, but only a select few in NFL history have found such consistency. Over the next five years, these are the teams that have the best chance at ultimate success.

Atlanta Falcons News / Atlanta Falcons on SI / September 16

Bijan Robinson, Kevin Stefanski Want to Spread the Love against Panthers

The Atlanta Falcons are preparing for their first NFC South matchup of the 2026 season, and much of the attention heading into Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers is centered on how Atlanta will move the football.

NFL News / Yardbarker

Ranking the NFL's backup quarterbacks for the 2026 season

A few trades have rearranged the NFL's backup quarterback ranks, but the dust has mostly settled. From a mix of recent first-round disappointments, aging vets, and young project types, here is how the league's QB2 ranks look for the 2026 season.

NFL Week 9: Picks and preview

Can Seattle keep it going? Will there be any further separation in the middle of the pack? And will things get even worse for struggling traditional powers like Green Bay? Let’s get to the games.

NFL News / NFLTradeRumors.co / September 16

NFC Notes: Bijan Robinson, Tyler Shough, Falcons, Panthers, Saints

Falcons QBs Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix were both ruled out from Week 1. Atlanta HC Kevin Stefanski said they are “not ruling anybody out” at this point, while Penix and Cooper Rush practiced on Wednesday: “We are working through it.

Mac Jones News / Yardbarker / September 16

49ers' Mac Jones linked to two desperate trade destinations

The San Francisco 49ers have a great problem on their hands right now.

49ers lose De'Zhaun Stribling, Jake Tonges to IR after Week 1 injuries

49ers have options to offset De'Zhaun Stribling's absence

The 'Most starts by an active NFL QB' quiz

Ranking the offensive play-caller for each NFL team

Offense is the name of the game in the modern NFL, and offensive play callers have never been more creative. Here's a look at the top NFL play-callers from 1-32 early in the 2022 season.

NFL News / A to Z Sports / September 16

Dave Canales brushes aside one major question surrounding Panthers upcoming matchup against the Falcons in Week 2

The Atlanta Falcons’ uncertain quarterback situation could cause a frustrating situation from a preparation standpoint, but the Carolina Panthers aren’t concerned about that being an issue.

Kevin Stefanski News / Larry Brown Sports / September 16

Kevin Stefanski addresses Falcons’ uncertain QB situation ahead of Week 2

Atlanta Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski isn’t announcing a starting quarterback for Week 2, and that’s because he hasn’t made a decision just yet. In Week 1, it was Cooper Rush who started as Tua Tagovailoa was dealing with an injury and Michel Penix Jr.

NFL News / Yardbarker

25 NFL players who could retire after the 2026 season

NFL stars can't play forever, and retirement is coming sooner than later for some of the league's top players. These 25 players could call it quits following the 2026 season.

Atlanta Falcons News / Viral Sports News / September 16

Atlanta Falcons Land 6-Year NFL RB Before Panthers Game

The Atlanta Falcons signed running back Khalil Herbert to their practice squad on Wednesday, adding a proven veteran to a thin backfield after a pair of roster moves earlier in the week, the team announced.

NFL News / Yardbarker / September 16

Falcons leave door open to start one of four quarterbacks vs. Panthers

Cooper Rush went 12-for-22 passing with 143 yards, a touchdown, two interceptions and a league-worst 2.6 adjusted QBR in Atlanta's 20-13 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sept. 13.

Falcons seemingly make major Cooper Rush decision for Week 2 game vs. Panthers

Insiders address potential return of Michael Penix Jr.

The '2019 NFL backup QBs' quiz

Click here to get Yardbarker's Quiz of the Day emailed to you!

The '10K-yard, 80-TD NFL receivers' quiz

The '5+ rushing-TD NFL seasons' quiz

The 'Most yards through two NFL seasons' quiz

The 'Women's U.S. Open champions' quiz

Atlanta Falcons News / Pro Football Rumors / September 16

Falcons Undecided On Week 2 QB

With third-string quarterback Cooper Rush at the helm, the Falcons’ offense sputtered during a 20-13 loss to the Steelers in Week 1. While Rush may start against the Panthers on Sunday, head coach Kevin Stefanski is not closing the door on Tua Tagovailoa or Michael Penix Jr. taking the reins.

Da'Shawn Hand News / Field Level Media / September 16

Falcons place DL Da'Shawn Hand on IR

The Atlanta Falcons placed defensive lineman Da'Shawn Hand on injured reserve Wednesday with a season-ending quad injury. Hand sustained the injury during the Falcons' 20-13 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.

Atlanta Falcons News / Atlanta Falcons on SI / September 16

Falcons Sign 2 Former 49ers 2nd-Round Pick and Bears RB

The Atlanta Falcons are heading into the regular season with a thinner defensive line after the team placed defensive tackle Da’Shawn Hand on injured reserve Wednesday morning.

Atlanta Falcons News / NFLTradeRumors.co / September 16

Falcons Announce Four Moves, Place DL Da’Shawn Hand On IR

The Atlanta Falcons promoted TE Nick Muse to the active roster, they announced on Wednesday. He takes the spot of DL Da’Shawn Hand, who is going on injured reserve after a major quad injury.

Brandon Dorlus News / Atlanta Falcons on SI / September 16

Underrated Falcons Defender Looking to Build on Strong Week 1 Against Panthers

Brandon Dorlus believes the Atlanta Falcons' defensive line has the talent to be one of the best groups in the NFL. After the way the unit performed against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 1, he believes the next step is to continue to play fast and consistently.

Atlanta Falcons News / Yardbarker / September 16

Insiders address potential return of Michael Penix Jr.

Penix is still recovering from ACL surgery.

Two-minute drill: Lions-Bills showdown kicks off Week 2, historic Week 1 scoring and more

The '2026 NFL Week 1 starting QBs' quiz

Cooper Rush News / HITC / September 15

‘Rush on out of Atlanta’: Cooper Rush faces brutal message after disastrous Falcons showing

Cooper Rush has been told to “rush on out of Atlanta” after his difficult Falcons debut left former Atlanta fullback Ovie Mughelli questioning whether the veteran quarterback can get the best out of the team’s offensive weapons.

Bijan Robinson News / TWSN / September 15

Bijan Robinson to Break an NFL Record in 2026?

The number is 2,106, one yard beyond the NFL single-season rushing record. That’s the goal for Bijan Robinson in 2026, and Malik Wright believes he can get there.

Atlanta Falcons News / NFL on ClutchPoints / September 15

How Falcons’ Za’Darius Smith will honor his late mother for homer opener in Week 2

After the Atlanta Falcons’ hideous loss in Week 1 to the Pittsburgh Steelers, 20-13, the team is looking to bounce back with its home opener on Sunday against the Carolina Panthers.

NFL News / Yardbarker / September 15

Falcons seemingly make major Cooper Rush decision for Week 2 game vs. Panthers

The Falcons may or may not have shared a significant update regarding their quarterback situation on Tuesday.

Falcons DT Da’Shawn Hand Believed To Have Torn Quad

T.J. Watt, Steelers stifle Falcons

The 'Active 300-yard NFL passers' quiz

Kyle Pitts News / TWSN / September 14

Atlanta Falcons Already Have a Major Kyle Pitts Problem After Week 1

During the offseason, the Atlanta Falcons went on to make Kyle Pitts one of the highest-paid tight ends. Despite this, the Falcons failed to get him involved in the offense.

Atlanta Falcons News / Pro Football Rumors / September 14

Falcons DT Da’Shawn Hand Believed To Have Torn Quad

Defensive tackle Da’Shawn Hand lasted just seven snaps in his Falcons debut on Sunday, and it may go down as his only action of the season. The 30-year-old is feared to have suffered a torn quad in the team’s 20-13 loss to the Steelers, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Da'Shawn Hand News / Field Level Media / September 14

Report: Falcons DL Da'Shawn Hand believed to have torn quad

Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Da'Shawn Hand could miss the rest of the season with a torn quad, NFL Network reported Monday. The 30-year-old veteran is receiving multiple opinions before finalizing a diagnosis and determining whether surgery is warranted, per the report.

Atlanta Falcons News / 5 GOATs / September 14

Report: Atlanta Falcons DL Da’Shawn Hand could be out for season due to torn quad

The Atlanta Falcons could be without a major piece along the defensive line following a tough break on Sunday. Defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand is believed to have suffered a torn quad, according to a report from the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

Atlanta Falcons News / Yardbarker / September 13