FALCONS
Falcons Recap: Training camp highlights, QB news, roster moves
Rounding up the latest Falcons news from Wednesday, July 29
Matt UrbenFalcons Wire
Updated July 29, 2026, 6:43 p.m. ET
The Atlanta Falcons took the field for their first official training camp practice under head coach Kevin Stefanski on Wednesday. While it was a good first step, the team is dealing with some crucial injuries at the game’s most important position
In today’s Falcons Wire Recap, quarterback injuries overshadow the start of training camp, Atlanta is ranked among the NFL’s most-cursed franchises, we look at some highlights from Wednesday’s practice and examine the team’s flurry of roster moves
QB injuries overshadow Day 1 of Falcons training camp
Falcons fans were hoping to see the start of an intense training camp battle for the starting quarterback job, but neither Michael Penix nor Tua Tagovailoa were fully healthy to begin practice. Penix has yet to be cleared for contact but participated in 7-on-7 drills. As for Tua, he sat out with an undisclosed issue (reportedly a back injury). That left undrafted free agent Jack Strand to take the majority of 11-on-11 reps. Atlanta also released Trevor Siemian, which brings us to our next point. | READ MORE
Falcons sign QB, place 4 players on PUP list
The Falcons released Siemian before practice and signed veteran quarterback Cooper Rush to the roster. That wasn’t all, though. The team placed four players — Jawaan Taylor, Billy Bowman, DeAngelo Malone and Troy Andersen — on the PUP list. Atlanta also placed defensive lineman Zach Harrison and Anterio Thompson on the non-football injury list (NFI). All six players can be activated before camp ends and still technically count against the 90-man roster. | READ MORE
Falcons training camp highlights: Day 1
Falcons ranked among NFL’s most-cursed teams
Given the way training camp has started, it’s tough to argue that this team is poised for a big breakthrough this season from the NFC’s longest-running playoff drought. According to Bleacher Report, Atlanta is one of the NFL’s 11 most-cursed franchises, coming in at No. 6 on their list
“They suffered arguably the most extreme big-game choke in modern sports history in the 2016 Super Bowl, and they haven’t won a division title since then,” wrote Brad Gagnon. “They’ve won just six playoff games this century… They’re still stuck in a slump of eight consecutive losing seasons, and only a handful of teams have worse Super Bowl odds this summer.” | READ MORE
Former Falcons WR signing with Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are expected to sign former Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Casey Washington, according to a report from Mike Kaye of the Charlotte Observer. Washington, a former sixth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, spent the last two seasons in Atlanta but played sparingly
Despite appearing in 15 games, Washington recorded just seven career catches for 108 receiving yards. On the bright side, all seven of those catches went for first downs. At 25 years old, he still has some upside. Washington will help replace Panthers rookie Chris Brazzell
The Falcons will return for their first open camp practice this Friday at IBM Performance Field
