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 host a team on the fritz in a must-win game against a 1-6 Miami Dolphins, whose lone win came against the league's only winless team.
The News, Now
Key developments on the field and roster move analysis
The biggest news of the week involved the release of wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud. This news was a couple weeks in the making as McCloud was a healthy scratch in the team's last two games against the Bills and 49ers. Asked about the decision, head coach Raheem Morris had this to say.
"Just got to do what's best for the team every single week. Every move you make is in order to get you better, in order to have better results. That's what we came to the conclusion as. Wish Ray-Ray nothing but the best, provided us a lot last year. Had a great time with him. We had an opportunity to be together, and I wish him nothing but the best."
The main injury news coming out of the Falcons' camp this week revolved around quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) and inside linebacker Divine Deablo (forearm). The expectation all week has been Penix will be good to go, with Penix himself saying that is the play, but he was ultimately listed as questionable for Sunday's game.
Deablo, on the other hand, will be out for some time. The option is on the table that Deablo could be placed on injured reserve, according to Morris, with a fracture in his forearm. The Falcons have not given Deablo that designation and is considered "week-to-week."
Asked how the defense will account for his absence, defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich said it will be a by-committee approach.
"As we all know, he's very unique in the fact that he is, from an athletic profile standpoint, he's very DB-ish. From a size standpoint, he's very linebacker-ish. So, we're going to replace him with some DBs at times, and we'll replace him with some linebacker at times. We're fortunate that we have a JD Bertrand here who is insanely intelligent, understands our scheme at the highest level, so he's going to get a great opportunity to play some more, and there's some other guys, too, that are going to step in and do something with what Divine does."
For other injury news, you can view all three Falcons injury reports below, including the game designations given (or not given) on Friday.
Wednesday, Oct. 22: Michael Penix Jr., Tyler Allgeier limited in estimated report
Thursday, Oct. 23: Michael Penix Jr.'s status remains limited in first full Atlanta practice of Week 8
How did the rest of the league fair in Week 7? 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: How does Divine Deablo's absence affect Atlanta's defense?
Falcons Mailbag No. 2 via Will McFadden: Discussing Michael Penix Jr.'s play
Finally, this week's Nerdy Birds put the spotlight on the team's top-ranked pass defense, particularly the secondary. Entering Week 7, Atlanta leads the NFL in pass defense, limiting its opponents to 141.2 yards through the air per game. The unit is the only team in the NFL that has not allowed a 200-yard passer this 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
As Terrin Waack thoroughly reported this week, when looking at the Falcons' offense there is one stat that isn't really like the other.
Entering Week 8, the Falcons boast a top-10 offense in multiple statistical categories:
- No. 4 in rushing yards per game (136.3)
- No. 4 in average time of possession (32:15)
- No. 6 in sacks allowed per pass (4.46%)
- No. 7 in total yards per game (364.3)
- No. 9 in third-down efficiency (42.31%)
- No. 10 in passing yards per game (228)
They are 28th in points per game (18.3) and tied for 29th in red-zone success (44.44%).
A major next-step for this offense is scoring points. More than they have through the first chunk of the season. And playmakers as well as coaches are well aware of that.
"We've had two just clunker games," offensive coordinator Zac Robinson said. "You look at a zero (against the Panthers) and a 10 from last week, and we'll be fighting an uphill battle with just points per game for the whole season based on those two bad games. We've got to get those things off the tape. We've got to score more points. We've been a big reason why we haven't won those games."
Make sure to check out Terrin's story linked above.
Game Day Intel
Upcoming match previews and predictions
Falcons depth chart released for Week 8 vs. the Miami Dolphins.
Who do the experts have taking the win Monday? Terrin Waack has got you covered with a comprehensive list in this week's Experts Picks.
Stats and milestones brought to you by StatsPerform:
- Kyle Pitts recorded seven receptions for 62 yards against the 49ers, his 25th career game with 50+ receiving yards. That is tied for fifth-most in the NFL among tight ends since Pitts came into the league in 2021. Pitts became one of four Falcons tight ends all-time with 25 or more such games, joining Tony Gonzalez (40), Alge Crumpler (35) and Jim Mitchell (27).
- With one more rushing touchdown, Bijan Robinson will tie Michael Vick for ninth-most in club history.
- Pitts (68) and Tyler Allgeier (5) can both top 3000 career scrimmage yards. They would become the 33rd and 34th players in franchise history to reach that mark.
- The last three games between the Falcons and Dolphins have been decided by four points or fewer. That is tied for Atlanta's second-longest active streak (Cardinals) versus any single opponent (Chargers – 4).
Take a look at our best shots from week eight practice ahead of the Sunday matchup against the Miami Dolphins, presented by Gatorade.
