Atlanta added Ben DiNucci to deepen the quarterback room ahead of Friday’s preseason finale in Dallas, a move prompted by Emory Jones’ concussion and the need for insurance behind Michael Penix Jr. and Kirk Cousins, who won’t play. Easton Stick is expected to start, with DiNucci serving as a ready-made backup for the 3-0-3 spot. The Falcons also released DJ Chark, reshaping the pass-catching corps as they evaluate the rest of the preseason slate.

DiNucci, a 2020 seventh-rounder, has appeared in three NFL games (one start) and delivered 23-for-43 for 219 yards in his rookie season. He spent rookie camp with Atlanta in May after time with Buffalo in 2024 and split college stints between Pitt and James Madison. Penix Jr. and Cousins are sidelined for the Dallas game, elevating Stick’s chances to lead Atlanta’s offense and keep DiNucci poised for opportunities.

The Chark release tightens Atlanta’s WR mix and nudges targets toward London, Pitts, and emerging rookies. For fantasy managers, this depth move signals caution around FalconsQBs and signals to monitor Friday’s performance for any hints of a Week 1 role or red-zone usage. The Cowboys’ visit looms large as Atlanta scrambles to refine its plan with a thinner depth chart in a still-unsettled QB room.

Atlanta fell to Tennessee 23-20 in a sunlit preseason tilt, but the Falcons found some juice in the second half. Nate Carter and Chris Blair sparked a 17-point burst in the third quarter, while Easton Stick settled in down the stretch after a rough start. Raheem Morris praised the squad’s competitiveness and provided injury updates that matter for fantasy angles: Jalon Walker was held out with a groin tweak, Emory Jones exited late with a ?check, and the rookie’s recovery will shape Falcons’ depth next week. Carter’s rugged, contact-rich rushing style stood out, hinting at a possible workload reversal if Walker misses time. The performance from Atlanta’s rooks, including Carter and Blair, gave a clean signal that the Falcons’ path to meaningful carries and targets could be evolving quickly as the schedule tightens.

On the other sideline, the Titans’ alignment kept Atlanta honest, but the Falcons showed resilience in the final frame, tightening the gap and leaving fans and fantasy managers circling Week 1 implications. The mix of a steadier late drive from Stick and the continued emergence of Carter as a physical runner adds intrigue to Atlanta’s backfield and pass catching corps, even if the injury notes remain fluid heading into next week.

Detroit's Morice Norris injury paused Friday's Lions-Falcons preseason game, triggering a safety-first pivot from both teams. Detroit coach Dan Campbell and Atlanta coach Raheem Morris coordinated to kneel and let the clock run out after referee Shawn Hochuli confirmed the game was still on, with Emory Jones taking one final Falcons snap as both teams stood on the field before the call. The moment underscored how coaches balance football realities with player safety even in a showcase environment.

For fantasy managers, the immediate concern centers on Norris's health and the potential ripple effects for Detroit's secondary depth and Emory Jones's role on Atlanta. As rosters and injury timelines unfold ahead of Week 1, stashing and monitoring depth players becomes prudent, while the broader fantasy landscape braces for the next health update that could shift defensive depth charts or QB consideration.

Morice Norris, Detroit safety, left the field in an ambulance during a Falcons preseason game and later posted he’s OK, thanking everyone for the support as the test results came back stable. The game was halted with Detroit leading 17-10 late in the fourth, the coaches opting not to resume. The incident echoes a broader preseason safety vigilance that fantasy players monitor closely when roster spots and special-teams roles are on the line.

Norris, Fresno State alum and undrafted rookie last season, has shown NFL potential but remains a depth option whose fantasy value hinges on health, special-teams duties, and opportunity behind the Lions’ core safeties. Teams will weigh safety depth ahead of final cuts, which could affect how much late-round reps matter for fantasy rosters this year.

Detroit safety Morice Norris faced a frightening moment in the Lions' preseason tilt with Atlanta when he was carted off in an ambulance after a collision with Nathan Carter. Norris later posted he’s OK and thanked supporters, adding a Bible verse and a message that he’s “all good.” The game was suspended with Detroit ahead 17-10 as coaches Dan Campbell and Raheem Morris chose not to resume play. Norris, 24, joined Detroit as an undrafted rookie last season and appeared in eight games, adding to the rookie-depth conversations surrounding Detroit’s secondary.

The piece situates Norris’s update within a broader preseason safety backdrop, recalling other scares and the ongoing emphasis on player welfare after past incidents, including Hamlin’s cardiac arrest and recovery. For fantasy players, the takeaway centers on Detroit’s safety depth and how a potential Norris absence could shift opportunities for reserves. The narrative also nudges attention toward Atlanta’s QB and offensive depth as the Falcons work through their preseason plans behind Desmond Ridder and their own depth chart considerations.