Atlanta Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski met with the media before Monday's practice in Flowery Branch and discussed a number of topics, including the team's upcoming joint practices with the Indianapolis Colts. The Falcons and Colts will practice together on Wednesday and Thursday leading up to their preseason matchup on Saturday.
Stefanski confirmed that Atlanta would not play its starters in preseason Week 2, and that he was sticking to his plan to play first-stringers in just the first and third preseason games. However, Stefanski said the starters would be participating in the two joint practices.
As for Michael Penix Jr., Stefanski said that while he still hasn't been cleared for contact, the third-year quarterback will participate in 7-on-7 drills against the Colts this week.
Stefanski said he has 7-on-7 drills on the schedule against the Colts this week for Michael Penix Jr. #Falcons
— Marc Raimondi (@marcraimondi) August 17, 2026
Stefanski also declined to name a starting quarterback against the Colts, saying it would either be undrafted free agent Jack Strand, who played fairly well in his debut, or veteran QB Cooper Rush, who tossed two interceptions against the Broncos.
This could be a sign that Strand is on his way to surpassing Rush on the depth chart, but we'll have to wait and see what happens.
The Falcons will practice against the Colts on Wednesday, August 19 and Thursday, August 20, before facing them in the preseason on Saturday, August 22 at 1 p.m. ET.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Falcons lay out plans for joint practices, preseason game vs. Colts