FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Prior to Wednesday's team scrimmage, Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said the Falcons' plan for who will see playing time in the preseason is still fluid, but more decisions have been made, including that of the rookie class.
On Monday, Morris noted he could definitively say that neither Michael Penix Jr. nor Kirk Cousins would play in the Falcons' first preseason game against the Detroit Lions Friday. More specific decisions on the lineup and playing time will follow the team scrimmage Wednesday, with decisions depending on how much work coaches feel the starters and key rotational pieces get through the practice's entirety.
Still, Morris has stated that there is a plan to play more of the young players on the roster through the preseason, particularly the rookies in the first preseason game. That includes edge rusher Jalon Walker and safety Xavier Watts, both of whom have been limited throughout practices of the last week.
Morris said Walker will be full-go in Wednesday's scrimmage after the team pulled him back a bit in Tuesday's indoor practice.
"When you come back from those hamstring (injuries) those back-to-back days can kind of get you, so we are trying to avoid those things," Morris said of Walker. "But Walker is a guy who will get significant amount of work (Wednesday) in the scrimmage and he will get some within the game setting (Friday), too."
Watts is "a little further ahead" than Walker is in terms of his return from an undisclosed injury that the Falcons are monitoring. He, too, is expected to get the nod for playing in Friday's preseason game.
The exact number of series for the rookies is unknown at this point, per Morris. But the plan is to get them out there, and that likely includes James Pearce Jr. and Billy Bowman Jr. as well. Though he didn't specifically call out those two rookie defenders Wednesday, he did make note of the plan to play Pearce on NFL Network earlier in the week.
"You talk about your rookie class, getting them out there — even with Mike (Penix) out there last year, getting him out there even a little bit just to get used to what it feels like," Morris said alluding to Penix's slight work in the 2024 preseason. "... We will get those guys out there for a couple series to get them a feel for it."
The Falcons host the Lions at home at Mercedes-Benz Stadium this Friday. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.
