Falcons release former 4th-round pick from reserve/injured list

The Atlanta Falcons got some bad injury news on Michael Penix Jr. before their Week 1 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

We now know who will be the Week 1 starter for the Atlanta Falcons.

The rookie's first matchup in the slot will come against Steelers receiver Roman Wilson. You won't find any rookies in the starting lineup on the other side of the ball. The closest thing is Zachariah Branch, who's listed as second in the slot behind returning veteran Olamide Zaccheaus.

The Atlanta Falcons have several well-known stars on the team, including Bijan Robinson, but what lesser-known players could play a big role this year?

A tough start to the schedule could contribute to the Falcons missing the playoffs for the ninth straight season.

Pickens, a former South Carolina standout, was selected by the Chicago Bears in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft. The 6-foot-4, 300-pound defensive tackle spent just two seasons in Chicago before landing with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2025.

The Atlanta Falcons, a bit indirectly, may be the reason the New York Giants made the surprising move to cut wide receiver Darius Slayton. Slayton’s dismissal by New York was news on Labor Day, a bit of a shock at the start of Week 1.