FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — New series alert!
Falcons News Now is your go-to source for the real stories coming out of Flowery Branch each week. Think of it as your weekly check-in with the team, or a custom newsletter with all the insights you may have missed. We're providing a one-stop shop for you to browse through all Falcons-related news at the end of every week of the 2025 season — who's winning reps, who's earning trust and what's happening in and around your favorite team.
From roster move analysis, practice intel, big-play highlights and so much more, this isn't just the news you need, it's what shapes Sundays in Atlanta.
Ultimately, if something matters to this locker room, it makes this newsletter.
So, if you eat, sleep and breathe Falcons football? This is your inside edge — every update, every storyline, all in one place.
The News, Now
Key developments on the field and roster move analysis
Right tackle Kaleb McGary signs two-year extension, worth a reported $30 million. The extension will keep McGary in Atlanta through the 2027 season, furthering the notion that Atlanta is keen on keeping its core group of linemen together.
"I'm super grateful for God giving me another opportunity to continue to be here," McGary said. "I've been (here) for so long, so just keep doing what I've been doing. It wasn't something I was super worried about, but I'm certainly not going to complain. It's very cool."
Training camp report, Monday, Aug. 4 — helmets only, Terrin Waack reporting
- Jalon Walker feels 'ahead of the game' despite limitations recovering from minor hamstring injury.
- A dreary day doesn't slow down Michael Penix Jr., who went 13-of-15 through the air in 11-on-11 work: "It was raining throughout the two-hour practice, which could have easily resulted in some wonky passes or dropped balls. Instead, Penix had one of his best showings of training camp."
- Casey Washington's first-team reps increase as the second-year receiver moves into Darnell Mooney's vacated spot.
Training camp report, Tuesday, Aug. 5 — full pads, Terrin Waack reporting
- Drake London shines as practice moves indoors, with Waack reporting the wide receiver caught all five of his targets during 11-on-11 work, "which was easily the most among the first team."
- For the first time in training camp, the receivers went up against the defensive backs in one-on-one work.
- Safety Xavier Watts and edge rusher Jalon Walker participate in individual drills, but coaches pull them back from team work to be cautious as they both work through minor injuries.
Training camp report, Wednesday, Aug. 6 — full pads, team scrimmage, Terrin Waack reporting
- Starters and first-team offense and defense takes center stage in first team scrimmage, with the Falcons mimicking a game-like pace and 11-on-11 work throughout the practice's entirety.
"This is their day," Raheem Morris said. "The guys that you plan on not going (Friday), right? You plan on them not going because of what you're going to do today. You're planning on giving them the high-level work, the looks.
"So, let's just talk about Michael Penix, for example. Michael Penix is going to go out there, and he's going to get all the high-level looks, all the protection looks, all the things you can get from a progression standpoint, all the things you can get from a game standpoint. Except for getting hit."
What did we learn throughout the Falcons' team scrimmage? A whole heck of a lot. Tori McElhaney answers exactly what in the Falcons Mailbag.
Fan Zone Highlights
Tweets, videos and podcasts you may have missed
In the Nest
Behind-the-scenes stories, locker room insight into team culture
Rookie safety Xavier Watts is earning an early reputation among his coaches and teammates. Will McFadden explores the question: Can the Falcons resident "X-man" become the defense's X factor?
"Watts is an adult. That's the easiest way for me to put it," Raheem Morris said. "He is serious. There's not a lot funny to him. He's very conscientious. He's got pro-like skill sets. He also gets some first-team reps. He's able to mix it up with the second team. He's able to be a leader that way."
Meanwhile, another Falcons' safety has also fallen into a new nickname. Terrin Waack documents DeMarcco Hellams' — a.k.a. Bamm-Bamm — return from season-ending injury, and what that means for him in 2025.
"We call him, 'Bamm-Bamm,'" Jessie Bates III said. "He's not a happy guy right now. He's always moving with bad intentions of wanting to go hit somebody. And you need that on the football team."
Game Day Intel
Upcoming match previews and predictions
Unofficial depth chart for preseason Week 1
Though not impacting this Friday's game, the news of WR Jordan Addison's suspension will impact a later game: Week 2, when Atlanta travels to Minnesota to face the Vikings. When the two teams faced each other in 2024, Addison was troublesome for Atlanta's secondary, leading the team with 133 receiving yards and three touchdowns on eight receptions.
"The Vikings are never an easy out, especially in their home confines," Will McFadeen noted, "but the absence of Addison is notable."
