By Sunday 
The Atlanta Falcons are shaking things up before Friday’s preseason showdown against the Detroit Lions, and the quarterback room is front and center.
Sitting the Veterans, Spotlight on the Young Guns
Falcons head coach Raheem Morris announced Monday that fans won’t see Michael Penix Jr. or Kirk Cousins taking snaps when Atlanta hosts Detroit at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Instead, the QB duties will fall to Easton Stick and Emory Jones, giving both newcomers a prime opportunity to show what they’ve got under the bright lights.
“That’s probably the most definitive thing I can tell you right now,” Morris told reporters, making it clear the Falcons plan to give their young signal-callers plenty of reps while their presumed starters get the night off.
Mirroring Detroit’s Approach
In a move that feels straight out of Dan Campbell’s playbook, Atlanta’s decision mirrors Detroit’s plan to rest Jared Goff for the preseason. Campbell confirmed Hendon Hooker will start the first half for the Lions, with veteran Kyle Allen taking over afterward.
It’s a preseason chess match — and both teams are playing it smart.
Penix or Cousins? Not This Week
While Penix overtook Cousins late last season and is considered Atlanta’s QB1, Morris said both will stay sidelined this Friday. That’s not only a nod to avoiding unnecessary injuries but also a clear signal that Atlanta’s QB competition is mostly settled — and their coaches want to get extended looks at the depth pieces.
More Decisions Ahead
Morris hinted that Wednesday’s scrimmage will go a long way in deciding who else plays against Detroit. “We’ve got some positions that are up for battle,” he said, adding that a lot of younger players will need to prove themselves over the next week.
Mark Your Calendars
The Lions and Falcons kick off Friday, Aug. 8 at 7 p.m. Whether you’re tuning in to see the rising stars or to scope out future roster battles, it’s shaping up to be a preseason game worth watching.