Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta Falcons running back Jase McClellan rushed 11 times for 55 yards and scored a touchdown in a 13-12 preseason loss against the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday. After leading the team in rushing in preseason Week 1 with 35 yards, McClellan followed suit and led the team in rushing again this week. The lone touchdown for McClellan and the Falcons came with only 39 seconds left on the clock in the fourth quarter and was followed by a failed two-point conversion, which led to the eventual one-point loss. The young 22-year-old out of Alabama has carried the ball 20 times for a solid 85 yards, 4.25 YPC, and one touchdown in two preseason games thus far. The battle for the RB3 in Atlanta looks like a close one this preseason between McClellan and Carlos Washington Jr. The Falcons RB3 battle will continue next week when the Falcons take on the Jaguars on Friday Night at home.

Raheem Morris explained the decision to sit Michael Penix Jr. for today's game by noting that Penix had already shown enough during the first preseason game against Miami. Given his strong performance there, the coaching staff felt it wasn't necessary for him to play today. Although it was surprising that Penix didn't start in Saturday's preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens, Taylor Heinicke took the helm to showcase his abilities as a potential trade asset for quarterback-needy teams. If the Falcons have a successful season, Penix may not see any meaningful snaps. While it would seem beneficial for Penix to gain game experience, considering his history with knee injuries and his guaranteed spot on the roster, the team likely wants to avoid unnecessary hits. This is positive news for Atlanta's playmakers, who should be well-positioned even if Kirk Cousins has to miss any time.

Atlanta Falcons rookie first-round quarterback Michael Penix Jr. came onto the field in Baltimore on Saturday in street clothes and appears unlikely to suit up for the preseason contest against the Ravens. The Falcons are planning to hold veteran Kirk Cousins (Achilles) out for the entire preseason, too, so it looks like we'll see a lot of Taylor Heinicke and John Paddock under center for the Falcons on Saturday. In his NFL debut last week in the preseason opener against the Miami Dolphins, the 24-year-old Penix went 9-for-16 for 104 yards. There's a good chance Atlanta tries to trade Heinicke before the start of the regular season, especially if they're sold on the early development of Penix, so Saturday will give Heinicke a chance to audition for other NFL teams looking for more QB depth. Penix could be the direct backup to Cousins in his first year in the NFL.

The Atlanta Falcons placed kick returner/wide receiver Jakeem Grant (hamstring) on Injured Reserve on Thursday. Atlanta signed Grant to a one-year contract last Saturday, and he was expected to compete for a role as a return specialist. He injured his hamstring this week at practice, and it's unclear how much time he will miss. However, Grant could play again this year if he is able to reach an injury settlement with the team. The 2016 sixth-round pick was set to experience his first action this season since 2021 after suffering back-to-back season-ending injuries the previous two preseasons (Achilles, knee). With him and Rondale Moore on IR, Atlanta is expected to seek more depth behind Avery Williams to compete for kick-returner duties.

The Las Vegas Raiders signed free-agent quarterback Nathan Peterman to an undisclosed deal on Tuesday. Peterman rejoins the Raiders after recently being cut in training camp by the New Orleans Saints. The 30-year-old former fifth-round pick by the Buffalo Bills in 2017 spent two years with the Raiders from 2020-21 and went 3-for-5 for 25 yards in just two games played in that span. He has gone 85-for-160 for 712 yards, four touchdowns and 13 interceptions in 15 games (five starts) in his six seasons in the NFL. In Vegas, he'll be competing for the No. 3 role with Anthony Brown Jr. as Gardner Minshew and Aidan O'Connell battle for the starting gig under center to kick off the 2024 regular season in early September.