Everything you need to know from Day 5 of the Falcons’ 2026 training camp

The Falcons returned to the practice field on Monday after a day off on Sunday, and delivered arguably the best practice of training camp so far. With the pads on for the first time, energy was high and we got the longest practice session—which inched closer to the two hour duration I’m accustomed to. Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich returned to the sideline, and Tua Tagovailoa returned to full team work.

Here are my notes from Day 5 of Falcons training camp.

• QB Tua Tagovailoa returned to 11-on-11 and had arguably the best pass of the day, a well-layered throw to Drake London over the leaping Christian Harris. He only had a handful of reps, but it was good to see him back out there.

• QB Michael Penix Jr. had his best practice of camp thus far, looking much sharper on his short throws and connecting on a few lovely deep passes. The final play of the day was a deep bomb to WR Antwane Wells Jr. that was placed perfectly.

• QB Jack Strand continues to take chances and looks a lot more aggressive than the veteran QB Cooper Rush. Strand has looked a little frazzled under pressure compared to Rush, but did show off his escapability with a nice run after getting out of the pocket. I do think Strand was more impressive overall today than Rush.

• WR Zachariah Branch wasn’t slowed down one bit by the addition of pads, looking just as dominant in 1-on-1s and finding ways to get open in the team drills. He continues to have a great camp.

QB Tua Tagovailoa returned to 11-on-11 and had arguably the best pass of the day, a well-layered throw to Drake London over the leaping Christian Harris. He only had a handful of reps, but it was good to see him back out there.

QB Michael Penix Jr. had his best practice of camp thus far, looking much sharper on his short throws and connecting on a few lovely deep passes. The final play of the day was a deep bomb to WR Antwane Wells Jr. that was placed perfectly.

QB Jack Strand continues to take chances and looks a lot more aggressive than the veteran QB Cooper Rush. Strand has looked a little frazzled under pressure compared to Rush, but did show off his escapability with a nice run after getting out of the pocket. I do think Strand was more impressive overall today than Rush.

WR Zachariah Branch wasn’t slowed down one bit by the addition of pads, looking just as dominant in 1-on-1s and finding ways to get open in the team drills. He continues to have a great camp.

• WR Jahan Dotson is clearly the WR2 and has looked the part, coming on strong over the past two practices. He’s versatile and showed off some great hands working entirely with the starters.

• Among the other wide receivers, Chris Blair continues to look the most impressive. His size stands out in a room full of smaller, speedier guys.

WR Jahan Dotson is clearly the WR2 and has looked the part, coming on strong over the past two practices. He’s versatile and showed off some great hands working entirely with the starters.

Among the other wide receivers, Chris Blair continues to look the most impressive. His size stands out in a room full of smaller, speedier guys.

• TE Kyle Pitts had a down day, with a couple of drops that could’ve been really nice plays. He did put on some nice moves on a screen pass that actually picked up a nice chunk of yardage.

• RB Cash Jones continues to show up, with a nice run and an impressive wheel route catch for about 20 yards against LB JD Bertrand.

TE Kyle Pitts had a down day, with a couple of drops that could’ve been really nice plays. He did put on some nice moves on a screen pass that actually picked up a nice chunk of yardage.

RB Cash Jones continues to show up, with a nice run and an impressive wheel route catch for about 20 yards against LB JD Bertrand.

• The defense didn’t dominate quite as much as on Saturday, but they still looked like the better unit overall. The pass rush, in particular, was making things very difficult for Strand and Rush.

• I tracked Samson Ebukam, Cameron Thomas, and Keshawn Banks with sacks, along with Jessie Bates who got one on a blitz.

• With Bijan not out there, the defense has also been pretty smothering against the run. Christian Harris, Maason Smith, Chris Williams all had TFLs. Avieon Terrell also showed off his physicality, notching a couple of nice stuffs.

• Speaking of CB Avieon Terrell, this was his best day in coverage. His tight coverage on one play led to a coverage sack for Cameron Thomas. He’s been better in team sessions than 1-on-1s and is seemingly making his way up the depth chart.

• CB Clark Phillips III had a strong day in coverage and seems to have found his home back outside.

The defense didn’t dominate quite as much as on Saturday, but they still looked like the better unit overall. The pass rush, in particular, was making things very difficult for Strand and Rush.

I tracked Samson Ebukam, Cameron Thomas, and Keshawn Banks with sacks, along with Jessie Bates who got one on a blitz.

With Bijan not out there, the defense has also been pretty smothering against the run. Christian Harris, Maason Smith, Chris Williams all had TFLs. Avieon Terrell also showed off his physicality, notching a couple of nice stuffs.

Speaking of CB Avieon Terrell, this was his best day in coverage. His tight coverage on one play led to a coverage sack for Cameron Thomas. He’s been better in team sessions than 1-on-1s and is seemingly making his way up the depth chart.

CB Clark Phillips III had a strong day in coverage and seems to have found his home back outside.

• The Falcons were trying out a lot of different blitz packages, which meant a lot of rotation with the LBs. We saw Harold Perkins and Kendal Daniels continue to mix in to various looks throughout the day.

• There’s a lot of rotation up front on the defensive line. Throughout practice I saw Jalon Walker, Samson Ebukam, Cameron Thomas, and Bralen Trice all getting reps with the “starters” on the edge. Inside, Brandon Dorlus, LaCale London, Maason Smith, Da’Shawn Hand, and Chris Williams were all a part of the rotation. James Pearce Jr. continues to work primarily with the depth groups.

• The slot cornerback battle appears wide open. A.J. Woods got the first snaps once again today, but Darnay Holmes continues to factor in. Avieon Terrell got more snaps inside today than outside, but is still splitting his reps. Notably, it looked like Natrone Brooks was back working with the safeties today.

The Falcons were trying out a lot of different blitz packages, which meant a lot of rotation with the LBs. We saw Harold Perkins and Kendal Daniels continue to mix in to various looks throughout the day.

There’s a lot of rotation up front on the defensive line. Throughout practice I saw Jalon Walker, Samson Ebukam, Cameron Thomas, and Bralen Trice all getting reps with the “starters” on the edge. Inside, Brandon Dorlus, LaCale London, Maason Smith, Da’Shawn Hand, and Chris Williams were all a part of the rotation. James Pearce Jr. continues to work primarily with the depth groups.

The slot cornerback battle appears wide open. A.J. Woods got the first snaps once again today, but Darnay Holmes continues to factor in. Avieon Terrell got more snaps inside today than outside, but is still splitting his reps. Notably, it looked like Natrone Brooks was back working with the safeties today.

• This was the longest practice so far, inching closer to the 2 hours we’re used to. The intensity was noticeably higher with the pads on.

• OT Wanya Morris showed up late in practice with a knee brace and looked a little hobbled. Not sure if the knee brace is new, but he didn’t look healthy. I’ll try to get more information on what is going on with him tomorrow.

• We got the first session from veteran kicker Nick Folk, and he looked sharp, connecting on kicks from 48 and 52.

• CB Billy Bowman Jr. was out working and running on the rehab field with his helmet on for the first time since I’ve been here. It was good to see him out there and he looks to be getting closer.

This was the longest practice so far, inching closer to the 2 hours we’re used to. The intensity was noticeably higher with the pads on.

OT Wanya Morris showed up late in practice with a knee brace and looked a little hobbled. Not sure if the knee brace is new, but he didn’t look healthy. I’ll try to get more information on what is going on with him tomorrow.

We got the first session from veteran kicker Nick Folk, and he looked sharp, connecting on kicks from 48 and 52.

CB Billy Bowman Jr. was out working and running on the rehab field with his helmet on for the first time since I’ve been here. It was good to see him out there and he looks to be getting closer.

Tuesday’s practice is without pads and actually in the afternoon for the first time, but we’ll be back to pads on Wednesday. Stay tuned for our live show this afternoon, as Adnan Ikic will be joining me to bring you our report from Day 5. Otherwise, we’ll see you all for Day 6!