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Updates from Week 4
Preseason Updates: Quarterbacks
Frustration is mounting among the beat covering coach Kevin Stefanski's conservative offensive approach, as Tua Tagovailoa has consistently struggled to push the ball downfield vertically, favoring screens and short passes, though he has been efficient in that scheme. Game 3 was a return to Miami, and Stefanski said of Tagovailoa: "I thought he handled the game really well. There's a lot of emotion when you come to a place you have been before, and he compartmentalized it. He was all about his business." Tagovailoa lost a fumbled snap and played a third drive that ended with a Brian Robinson Jr fumble. Michael Penix Jr. returned to 11-on-11 work, with receiver Jahan Dotson saying: "It's exciting for him. I know it's been a tough journey for him. It's good to see him on the opposite side of that. He had a little scramble today, which was cool to see." Penix did not play Game 3, saying the game would feel "too soon," though his confidence is growing — he claimed he could beat Bijan Robinson in a race, prompting Robinson to respond: "I'm like, 'Mike, nah bro. But it's just cool to see his confidence up." The team kept four quarterbacks on its initial 53-man roster; keeping Cooper Rush could allow Atlanta to explore moves involving Tagovailoa, while undrafted rookie Jack Strand generated consistent buzz and was deemed too valuable to release.
Preseason Updates: Running Backs
The retirement of right tackle Kaleb McGary and his replacement by Jawaan Taylor is an underrated difficulty, as the offense has failed to threaten in the vertical pass game and the switch from a wide-zone scheme to a heavier gap scheme has been a rocky adjustment. Bijan Robinson is buying into the scheme, saying: "He does a really good job of being intentional in trying to get us to the second level as fast as possible because when we get to the second level, I feel like that's where we're super dangerous as runners." In a surprise move, the Falcons kept only two running backs on their initial 53-man roster; Tyler Goodson had generated praise after a strong camp, and his release was one of the biggest surprises of Atlanta's cutdown.