The Atlanta Falcons are just 24 hours away from playing their first game of the 2026 NFL preseason. The Denver Broncos are coming to town for a Friday night showdown at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The game kicks off at 7 p.m. ET, but since we've got some time to kill, let's see what else is going on. In today's Falcons Wire Recap, Cam Newton pressures Kyle Pitts to name a starting quarterback, Michael Penix Jr. gives a positive update on his ACL recovery, Zachariah Branch takes over as the starting punt returner and Atlanta reveals its uniforms for Friday's preseason opener against Denver. Cam Newton pressures Kyle Pitts to pick Falcons QB1 The Falcons are waiting until Michael Penix Jr. is back healthy before they officially name a starter for Week 1. However, former Panthers star Cam Newton brought his "4th & 1" show to Falcons training camp this week. Newton interviewed a handful of players, including Penix and Kyle Pitts. Newton put the pressure on Pitts to pick a starting QB, but the tight end wouldn't take the bait. "That's clickbait," answered Pitts with a chuckle. "That's rage bait. Whoever's going to win. Whoever wants to win more. Obviously, I can't foresee the future. I'm just taking it day by day."
Cam Newton asks Kyle Pitts who he wants to be his Quarterback between Tua and Michael Penix Jr. 😭 🎥@4thand1showpic.twitter.com/wcu1BPrtKU — Not Bijan (@InBijanWeTrust) August 13, 2026 Michael Penix gives update on recovery The Falcons named Tua Tagovailoa as their starting quarterback against the Broncos, but Penix is still in the mix to be the starter for Week 1. On Wednesday, the third-year QB provided another injury update on his knee. "I can do just about everything except for take a hit," Penix said after Wednesday's practice. "That's what we're trying to avoid right now." The Falcons have been pleased with Penix's progress, and despite the fact that he looks to be fully healthy, they're taking their time before clearing him for contact. Penix said his doctor told him that his ACL is "amazing" and that he should never have another issue for the rest of his career, per ESPN's reporter Marc Raimondi.
Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. shares positive update on ACL recovery 📸 Dale Zanine, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect https://t.co/sUwW2dbOXCpic.twitter.com/Abs3wX4CcR — The Falcons Wire (@TheFalconsWire) August 13, 2026 Zachariah Branch named starting punt returner Zachariah Branch, Atlanta's third-round selection out of Georgia, was listed as the backup slot receiver behind Olamide Zaccheaus. However, Branch's special teams ability helped him clinch the starting punt returner job. During his freshman year at USC, Branch led the Pac-12 with 332 punt return yards and one touchdown. The speedy wideout racked up 586 punt return yards and another 752 yards on kickoff returns over his three collegiate seasons at USC and Georgia. Branch's special teams ability will help him get on the field right away, but he should also have a big role on offense due to his versatility as a receiver.
Falcons list rookie as starting punt returner on depth chart 📸 Dale Zanine, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect https://t.co/oD6s04joHKpic.twitter.com/QvQcrIM6DC — The Falcons Wire (@TheFalconsWire) August 13, 2026 Falcons fall to 25 in NFL.com's power rankings Those around the league don't seem to be buying into the Falcons as we kick off the preseason. According to a new batch of preseason power rankings by Nick Shook at NFL.com, Atlanta is currently the worst team in the NFC South and just the 25th best in the league overall.
"This ranking illustrates my trepidation regarding Atlanta. It's a team that has the talent to land higher than this, but also has already lost Jalon Walker to a season-ending injury and still doesn't have much clarity regarding its outlook under center. Michael Penix Jr. is still returning from his latest ACL repair, Tua Tagovailoa began camp with back issues, and the situation became so dire that Atlanta raced to the open market to bring in Cooper Rush in late July."
NFL preseason power rankings put Falcons in uncomfortable position 📸 Mark J. Rebilas, Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images https://t.co/p4LzazAGtxpic.twitter.com/NPTwH7jnYb — The Falcons Wire (@TheFalconsWire) August 13, 2026 Falcons reveal uniforms for preseason opener The Falcons revealed their uniforms for the preseason opener. As you can see below, the players will be wearing the team's new red jerseys with white pants and regular black helmets against Denver.
Got the fresh fit ready 🔥 pic.twitter.com/3wIqVDyfkS — Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) August 13, 2026 Broncos reveal uniforms for preseason opener The Broncos also revealed their preseason uniforms on Thursday. The team will wear its white jerseys with orange pants. Check them out below, as shared by Broncos' social media account.
Debuting a new combo for the preseason opener ⚪️🟠🔵 pic.twitter.com/BOQbyiyXjr — Denver Broncos (@Broncos) August 13, 2026 Make sure to tune in on Friday night at 7 p.m. ET for the Falcons' preseason opener against the Broncos. This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Falcons Recap: Cam Newton grills Kyle Pitts, uniforms revealed