FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Falcons News Now is your go-to source for the real stories coming out of Flowery Branch each week. 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. And this week? The Falcons are taking their 1-1 record on the road to face their second NFC South foe, the Carolina Panthers.

The News, Now

Key developments on the field and roster move analysis

The biggest news of the week continued to be that of the Falcons kicking situation. After Parker Romo went 5-for-5 on Sunday Night Football in Week 2, the Falcons made the decision to move forward with him as the team's starting kicker in Week 3.

"We're going to go with Romo," Raheem Morris said Friday. "He earned it last week going 5-for-5, and you gotta go with that again."

Later that day, the Falcons announced the release of Younghoe Koo, simultaneously signing Romo to the active roster. Koo's time with Atlanta ends with 89 games played and 700 points scored for the organization, which is the third-most in franchise history.

Offensively, the Falcons had 69 total rushing yards in their Week 1 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They averaged 2.5 yards per carry. And members of the Atlanta run game — from coaches, to linemen, to tight ends, to running backs — had a point to prove about who they are and what they do during Sunday night's win over the Minnesota Vikings.

They did just that. Proving their point to the tune of 218 rushing yards and 5.6 yards per carry in the prime-time win. This week's film study explored how the Falcons did so and what tweaks they made to see more success. Well, that, and Bijan Robinson continues to be one of the league's flashiest and most productive players.

"He is who everybody says he is," Michael Penix Jr. said. "I feel like he's the best running back in this league, and he shows it each and every day."

The main injury news coming out of the Falcons' camp this week had to do with A.J. Terrell. The Falcons starting corner left Sunday night's game with a hamstring injury right before halftime. He did not return to the game and head coach Raheem Morris said the Falcons are considering him "week-to-week," not day-to-day. It's been an open competition this week to see who will slot in for him this Sunday in Charlotte.

"(Dee Alford) got a chance to finish it for us," Morris said. "He did a nice job, had a knockdown pass and some really good tackles.

"... We want to have those guys go out there and compete at a very high level this week in order to figure out who gets the best opportunity. But I always want to make it as defined as I can, right? We got Clark coming off the (rib) injury he had in the preseason, trying to get back into the mix; great opportunity for him. Obviously, we picked up C.J. Henderson. Obviously, we have our Swiss Army knife in Natrone Brooks, playing safety, playing nickel, playing outside. So, all of those guys have an opportunity to go compete for helmets, compete to get on the grass to help us win. It is something that we look forward to doing."

You can view all three Falcons injury reports below:

Wednesday, Sept. 17: James Pearce Jr., Charlie Woerner held out as Week 3 practices begin

Thursday, Sept. 18: Kyle Pitts added to injury report with toe issue

Friday, Sept. 19: A.J. Terrell officially ruled out with hamstring injury

How did the rest of the league fair in Week 2? Tori McElhaney breaks it down in her weekly power rankings, while Will McFadden highlights the NFC South's performance.

Plus, check out this week's mailbags where Tori and Will answer your burning questions about the state of the Falcons.

Falcons Mailbag, No 1 via Tori McElhaney: Is the defense's hot start sustainable? Is the quarterback carousel starting back up again? And are opponent's defensive decisions to counter Michael Penix Jr.'s strengths affecting Atlanta's pass production?

Falcons Mailbag, No. 2 via Will McFadden: How often are Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier sharing the field? Will the Falcons incorporate more play action? Plus, a look at Brandon Dorlus' progress.

Finally, this week's Nerdy Birds statistical spotlight zeroes in how the young defensive overhaul has paid early dividends two games into the 2025 season.

Fan Zone Highlights

Tweets, videos and podcasts you may have missed

In the Nest

Behind-the-scenes stories, locker room insight into team culture

After getting into the end zone just one time against the Minnesota Vikings, the Falcons know they "can't settle for field goals" in the red zone. Offensive coordinator Zac Robinson said it's been a point of emphasis this week.

"When you look at it, I think we're putting ourselves in too many third downs," Robinson said. "We had a lot of third downs where on the second-down plays we could have executed a little bit better to get out of those third downs.

"... It's our job to put the ball in the end zone. Three points is great, but that's not a good goal to have. Obviously it's been two weeks, but we have to score. We can't settle for field goals. That's not a winning football team."

Game Day Intel

Upcoming match previews and predictions

Falcons depth chart released for Week 3 vs. the Carolina Panthers.

In the first matchup of the Panthers and Falcons this year, the question has arisen: Are Michael Penix Jr. and Bryce Young the future of the i-85 rivalry? Many thinks so. But Jessie Bates III likes QB1 in red and black.

"I think those guys will be head of their franchises, for sure," Bates said, "but I think our guy is much better."

Who do the experts have taking the win Sunday? Terrin Waack has got you covered with a comprehensive list in this week's Experts Picks.

Stats and milestones brought to you by StatsPerform:

• The Falcons scored 38 points and gained over 400 yards in each of their last two games against Carolina. Their 960 yards in the last two games against the Panthers are the sixth-most all-time in a two-game span versus any opponent.
• Billy Bowman Jr. has recorded 10 total tackles, an interception, and half a sack so far this season. He is the eighth player in the last 30 seasons to record these numbers within the first two games of his career and the first Falcon to do so in that span.
• The Falcons held the Vikings to six points on Sunday night. It's the fewest points Atlanta has allowed in the last five seasons and their fewest allowed on the road since 2019 (3 points at Panthers).