Recapping the top stories from Atlanta’s fifth training camp practice

The Atlanta Falcons completed their fifth training camp practice on Thursday afternoon and are just one week away from playing their first preseason game against the Detroit Lions.

The Falcons can get a good look at the Lions tonight when Detroit takes on the Los Angeles Chargers in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game to open the 2025 NFL preseason.

Atlanta announced a roster transaction prior to Thursday’s practice, plus head coach Raheem Morris gave an update on rookie Jalon Walker’s injury. We examine that and more in today’s Falcons recap.

Roster News: Falcons sign safety, cut WR

The Falcons kicked off the day by signing former UFL safety Henry Black and releasing wide receiver Makai Polk. The move comes one day after the team worked out former Buccaneers safety Jordan Whitehead. Raheem Morris said he felt the team needed more safety depth, and Black can provide that going forward.

Injury updates on Jalon Walker, Xavier Watts

Morris gave an update on Jalon Walker, who has missed the last two days of practice. Walker is dealing with a minor hamstring injury, and while he sat out of team drills on Thursday, the rookie took part in individual drills (see below). Third-round pick Xavier Wattts missed Thursday’s practice, per ESPN’s Marc Raimondi, but there was indication as to why.

More Madden NFL 26 ratings were revealed on Thursday, including Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (92 overall), wide receiver Drake London (91 overall), and the team’s entire rookie draft class. Jalon Walker is the game’s sixth-highest-rated rookie. Check out the ratings for Atlanta’s five-player draft class below:

LB Jalon Walker: 79EDGE James Pearce: 75S Xavier Watts: 70DB Billy Bowman: 70OL Jack Nelson: 63Watch: Highlights from Day 5Falcons OC named future head coach candidate

In a new feature from Pro Football Sports Network, Jacob Infante named Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson a future head coach candidate. If you’re a good play-caller in the NFL, it generally doesn’t take long to get a head coaching gig. Despite the team’s quarterback controversy last season, Robinson did a stellar job in Year 1:

Robinson, 38, comes from the highly regarded Sean McVay tree, having been the Rams‘ passing game coordinator in 2022 and 2023 before his promotion in Atlanta. He has a big opportunity to become a strong head coaching candidate if the Falcons’ passing game performs well with Michael Penix Jr. now under center. — Jacob Infante, PFSN