After losing their exhibition season opener 23-3 Friday to the Titans, the Falcons returned to practice Monday morning.
“We got accomplished what we needed to,” Falcons coach Arthur Smith said. “Obviously when you come off a day off, I was worried. It started a little slow. I thought we needed to wake up a little bit. The guys responded. We got a lot of good work in today.”
The Falcons cut four players and have one more player to cut to reach the 85 player limit by 4 p.m. Tuesday.
The Falcons will practice again Tuesday before leaving for Miami, where they will hold joint practices with the Dolphins Wednesday and Thursday before playing their second exhibition game at 7 p.m. Saturday at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla.
Here are five things we learned at practice:
1. Vaccinations required. The Falcons and Atlanta United informed employees that COVID vaccinations will be required by Oct. 1. This doesn’t cover players, who fall under league protocols. The Falcons have said that more than 90% of their players are vaccinated against COVID-19.
2. Sheffield out. Falcons cornerback Kendall Sheffield did not practice.
3. Cominsky, Graham updates. Defensive lineman John Cominsky (head) was not at practice, while rookie Ta’Quon Graham (hand) participated in practice. Both left the game Friday against the Titans.
4. McGary update. Falcons right tackle Kaleb McGary, who spent time on the physically unable to perform list, had a bulky brace on his left knee. He was clearly trying to get comfortable with it early in practice.
5. Oliver at nickel back. Falcons cornerback Isaiah Oliver was working with the first team at nickel back. When he came off for the base defense, defensive lineman Jonathan Bullard replaced him.
(Check back later for news and notes from practice, including a story on outside linebacker Dante Fowler.)
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