After a less-than-stellar 27-7 loss in their preseason opener against the Broncos last week, the Falcons look to turn the tables against the Colts during their second exhibition game Saturday in Indianapolis.
Tua Tagovailoa has been in the spotlight, after starting last week and struggling through his first live opportunities with the offense. He took full-squad reps against the Colts in their joint practices this week.
Here’s some pregame reading to get caught up:
The Falcons' early-week splash acquisition, veteran outside linebacker Za'Darius Smith, didn't make it to Indianapolis in time for joint practices Wednesday and Thursday, but he's present with the team Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Smith warmed up with outside linebackers coach John Timu, replicating pass-rush motions and doing light cardio.
Smith, who retired last October and thus hasn't participated in a team practice since, spent the early part of this week ramping up in Flowery Branch.
The 33-year-old won't play Saturday, according to the team.
Falcons quarterbacks Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. threw passes to receivers Drake London and Olamide Zaccheaus, running back Bijan Robinson and tight end Austin Hooper some two-and-a-half hours before kickoff.
Neither Tagovailoa nor Penix are expected to play, and the same applies to London, Zaccheaus and Robinson, but they're going through their standard pre-game procedure nonetheless.
It's a dress rehearsal in its truest sense.
As the Falcons prepare for their second exhibition game, there are plenty of questions to be answered.
Is the offense getting closer to peak performance? Much of last week’s performance in the preseason opener, along with some reps from the joint practices against the Colts suggest, they're not.
There’s some level of optimism among the star players, but what counts most is what’s shown on the field — even if it’s the practice field or the preseason.
Is Michael Penix Jr. closer to being medically cleared? He had a call scheduled this week with medical staff, and the anticipation was that he could be declared fit for full-squad practices, a big step in his return from ACL rehab.
The Falcons won’t play many starters in Saturday’s game, with the reserves getting the spotlight. Head coach Kevin Stefanski said previously that he wanted the starters to play in the first and third preseason games.
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