The 2026 NFL training camps have kicked off around the league, and our team reporters are on the ground each day following all the action. The Atlanta Falcons ' camp is taking place in Flowery Branch, Georgia, and Falcons reporter Marc Raimondi has the latest intel on standouts, highlights, position battles, depth chart movement, cut decisions and of course the quarterback room.
What follows is everything we are seeing and hearing at Falcons camp. We will update this file often. How will the QB battle play out between Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa for QB1? Who are the breakout players to watch, especially for fantasy football? And which players on the roster bubble could make the final 53?
Dive in to all the updates and be sure to check back for more information until the first full week of the preseason begins Aug. 13.
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Saturday, Aug. 1
Cooper Rush has only been with the Falcons for a little more than 72 hours, but he is starting to get himself acclimated fairly well.
The veteran quarterback got reps with the first-team offense for the first time Saturday morning in 11-on-11 team sessions. Overall, Rush was 6-of-10 with a red zone touchdown to tight end Kyle Pitts Sr.
The Falcons signed Rush on Wednesday, just before their first practice of training camp. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is dealing with a tight back and has yet to do anything but individual work and a walk-through. Michael Penix Jr. is not yet cleared for 11s after right ACL surgery last November.
Undrafted rookie Jack Strand has gotten the majority of 11-on-11 reps with the first team and still did Saturday. But Rush is clearly starting to ramp up.
More observations:
Tagovailoa only did individual work, while Penix did individuals and then a 7-on-7 goal-line session. Penix was 4-of-8 passing, including a touchdown pass to rookie running back Cash Jones.
Christian Harris has gotten the vast majority of reps with the first-team defense at inside linebacker, alongside Divine Deablo. But rookie sixth-rounder Harold Perkins Jr. broke in with first-team reps. Stefanski said a rotation at that spot -- and many others -- will continue during camp.
Friday, July 31
Undrafted rookie quarterback Jack Strand is drawing raves from his teammates and coaches for how well he has performed after getting thrown into the proverbial fire.
Strand has taken the majority of reps in 11-on-11 team sessions with Tua Tagovailoa (tight back) and Michael Penix Jr. (right knee) not fully cleared. On Friday, Strand was 7-of-8 passing in 11s and completed his first six passes.
"Being a rookie, being able to come into a system like this where it's not easy to be able to regurgitate what he's getting told in the headset to the offense," Tagovailoa said. "I think he's done a really good job this offseason studying, understanding the playbook a bit. And you don't see that a lot in rookies, especially rookie quarterbacks."
The 6-foot-4, 240-pound Strand, who played at Division II Minnesota State-Moorhead, has an impressive arm, as well.
"Dude can sling the ball," Tagovailoa said.
More observations:
The Falcons are battling through some tragic circumstances currently. Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich's wife died earlier this week after battling cancer. The team made the information public Thursday night. Head coach Kevin Stefanski spoke to the media before practice Friday morning and said he would not discuss football until later. "Like any family, we will support Jeff and the kids and we'll put our arms around him and the kids literally, as an organization," Stefanski said.
Penix had a rough go in a 7-on-7 red zone drill. He was just 1-of-7 passing with one near interception by cornerback AJ Terrell.
Thursday, July 30
Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was back at practice Thursday. Sort of.
Tagovailoa (tight back) made a few throws during individual drills, but that was it. He did not participate in any team sessions, though he did remain on the field in full uniform.
Michael Penix Jr., not yet cleared for 11-on-11s, was also at practice, but he did not make any throws in practice, because it was a scheduled rest day, per a team source. There will be a few of those during training camp.
The Falcons did not do any 7-on-7 drills on Thursday. Penix had been leading those.
In 11s, undrafted rookie free agent Jack Strand got the majority of reps. He was backed up by veteran Cooper Rush, whom the Falcons signed Wednesday to add depth to their banged-up quarterback room.
More observations:
Running back Bijan Robinson was on the field for the second straight day, but once again did not practice. He was with the quarterbacks during their individual drills, chatting with Tagovailoa and Penix. Robinson appears to be holding in while his agent works on a contract extension, though he nor the Falcons have confirmed that.
Falcons president of football Matt Ryan was at practice, as he has been just about every day going back to OTAs. On Thursday, Ryan was acting as a quarterback during receiver drills. Wide receiver Drake London said he asked him if he still has it and Ryan replied: "I feel great."
Tua Tagovailoa out at practice today with RB Bijan Robinson and Michael Penix Jr. Tagovailoa is back doing some individuals this morning. #Falcons pic.twitter.com/SGfmuhaq8I
— Marc Raimondi (@marcraimondi) July 30, 2026
Wednesday, July 29
Veteran quarterback Cooper Rush was working out near his Dallas home Tuesday when he got a phone call from his agent. Rush was informed to stop the workout immediately and head to the airport. The Falcons had signed Rush on short notice when they found out that quarterback Tua Tagovailoa would be out of practice with a tight back.
Rush got into Atlanta on Tuesday night and was at the team's facility Wednesday in time for practice. With Michael Penix Jr. recovering from a torn ACL and third-string quarterback Trevor Siemian released because of injury, Rush and undrafted free agent Jack Strand were the only QBs getting live reps in 11-on-11 team sessions. Penix did individual drills and 7-on-7 work. Tagovailoa was spotted, but did not practice.
Rush, 32, is a nine-year veteran with 16 starts under his belt, all but two with the Dallas Cowboys. Rush played for the Baltimore Ravens last season and started two games. He has a 9-7 record as a starter.
More observations:
Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich is not currently with the team because of personal issues.
Brian Robinson Jr. got the first-team reps at running back with Bijan Robinson not practicing. Robinson was at practice, but not in full uniform. Robinson Jr. got shaken up on one play and did not return, but it didn't appear to be anything serious.
Penix was 6-of-8 in 7-on-7 work with a 50-yard touchdown pass to rookie wide receiver Zachariah Branch.
Tuesday, July 28
What makes for a good training camp, according to Falcons defensive tackle Brandon Dorlus? "Great intensity" and making sure everyone comes out of it healthy. There is one mark of great intensity, he added.
"Maybe some fights," Dorlus said Tuesday as Atlanta players arrived at the team facility in Flowery Branch. "It's a good and bad sign, but in my opinion, it's a good sign when you got guys who want to compete and you got guys who want to win games."
Dorlus' best friend Ruke Orhorhoro was traded in the offseason to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Orhorhoro was known for his trash talk and, in his absence, Dorlus said he has to step up in that regard.
"I got some of me that I'll bring out there for sure," he said with a laugh.