Atlanta's Friday night clash with Tennessee ended 23-20 in a preseason thriller, with the Falcons resting most starters but still delivering a wave of roster auditions. Undrafted free agent Nate Carter totaled 63 yards on nine carries, including a 43-yard TD that sparked a late spark. Chris Blair added a 52-yard TD grab to knot the game. On defense, Simeon Barrow Jr. dominated with a 89.5 PFF grade, while James Pearce Jr. continued to flash on the edge. Raheem Morris even offered a hopeful update on Jalon Walker, who tweaked his groin but is expected back next week.

The Falcons’ offense found a gear in the third quarter, scoring 17 points to flip the game’s momentum before Tennessee steadied. David Sills turned in a 90.8 PFF score on six snaps, underscoring how depth players can shine in limited action. With UDFA and late-round talent driving the effort, Atlanta’s roster battles took center stage as final cuts approach.

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.

Nathan Carter burst onto the Falcons’ radar in Week 2 of the preseason, grinding nine carries for 63 yards and punching in a 43-yard touchdown. Next Gen Stats logged a top speed of 20.70 mph on that score, underscoring the burst that made the undrafted back from UConn and Michigan State a name to watch in Atlanta’s crowded RB room.

With Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier established, Carter’s path to the 53-man roster is a high-variance bet, but his latest display signals a real shot at carving out a role as a change-of-pace or on early-down snaps if he can prove himself in pass protection and special teams. Atlanta still has one more preseason tune-up to evaluate him against NFL competition and practice‑quality reps will be pivotal in shaping his fate this summer.

Nathan Carter flashed in Friday night’s Falcons preseason tilt, piling up 63 yards on nine carries including a 43-yard TD as Atlanta shed doubts about its RB depth behind Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier. The moment sparked cheers on the sideline, signaling a real competition for Atlanta’s third-back spot.

One week earlier, Carter’s game‑changing run came after a scary collision that left Morice Norris of Detroit briefly down and the game stopped. Norris is in concussion protocol but has shown progress, a detail Carter said gave him peace and focus to play with conviction. Carter’s post‑play reflections tied his on‑field fire to faith and purpose, a mindset echoed by Falcons coaches about his fierce, hard-to-tackle style.

Carter, undrafted from Michigan State, posted elite testing marks, including a 4.4 40 and a 40-inch vertical, underscoring his NFL upside in a crowded backfield that also includes Carlos Washington Jr., Elijah Dotson, and Jashaun Corbin. Falcons coach Raheem Morris raved about his toughness and breakaway speed, suggesting a legitimate roster push if he can sustain this level of play over the coming weeks.

Falcons night in Tennessee flipped in the second half as undrafted Nate Carter bolted for a 43-yard touchdown in the third quarter, flashing burst after a slow start. Teagan Quitoriano forced and recovered a kickoff fumble on the ensuing drive, and Chris Blair hauled in a 53-yard score from Easton Stick to spark Atlanta’s offense. The trio helped Atlanta tie the game at 20 late in the fourth, following a 17-point third quarter after a six-point first half. The Titans provided the test, but these flashes highlighted depth pieces with fantasy upside in the Falcons’ camp.

From a fantasy lens, Carter’s long run is the type of moment that nudges a long-shot RB into the conversation for depth roles and practice-squad chatter. Blair’s big-play connection with Stick adds a potential vertical option for the Falcons’ passing game, especially in keeper or dynasty leagues where late-round darts matter. Quitoriano’s special-teams impact, paired with disciplined offensive reps, keeps him on the radar for a roster spot that could translate to some opportunistic fantasy value if roles open up.

The Falcons will take the positives into their next preseason tilt, hoping these performances translate into more meaningful reps during the regular season. It’s still preseason, but the emergence of Carter, Blair, and Quitoriano provides early indicators of a deeper Falcons roster that could yield streaming or depth options for savvy fantasy players as rosters prune down.