Falcons try to shake off Week 3 loss and focus on the Commanders
Falcons head coach Raheem Morris had a few things to address ahead of the upcoming home game against the Washington Commanders, which has taken on added importance since the shutout loss to the Carolina Panthers last Sunday.
The dismissal of WR coach Ike Hilliard: It was “performance-based, just like everything in this business,” Morris said. “Tough decision. People business. Hard for me, Hard for the organization, hard on Ike, his family.” He said it was a decision he had to make.
Morris said the team needs to score more touchdowns [obviously]. He added that the Falcons have been able to move the ball, but haven’t been able to finish drives.
Morris emphasized that Michael Penix Jr. is still QB 1. He was asked about the possibility of letting him compete with backup QB Kirk Cousins. “We’re not even close to that with Mike,” he said. “He had a bad day, the team had a bad day.”
CB A.J Terrell is still a “week-to-week” situation with a hamstring injury.
Morris said there is an urge to win in general after a loss such as Sunday’s.
Later, Penix Jr. would address the press…
He repeated the oft-said notion that the Falcons need to master the small things to make big-time plays.
He said he took a lot of hits Sunday, but “there’s no excuses. Everybody gets hit. Everybody gets sore,” he said.
On getting WR Darnell Mooney in on explosive plays, “Just keep giving him opportunities,” he said. He said Mooney is a great pass catcher, route runner, and will find a way to get open.
Penix Jr. found no fault in the derided pistol formation. “I love the offense,” he said. “There’s no excuses to not executing.” He added that it was time to “flip the script” and get back in the winning column.
Next came offensive coordinator Zac Robinson, who is being relocated to the sidelines from the stadium booth. He said he thought it was a good time to “reset” and that this would improve communications between him and the players.
He took full responsibility for the poor performance of the offense in Week 3.
He said Penix Jr. is still a rookie quarterback owing to how many games he has played thus far professionally. Robinson said this was the first game Penix Jr. struggled, but believed he would bounce back.
On the pistol formation issue: “Last year when we played Washington, we were heavy pistol, and our efficiency running out of the pistol”, he said. “One of our analytics guys just told me, was like over 85% or something.”
[See the interviews under Falcons free stuff below.]
Roster moves: Ben Sauls, kicker, has been added to the practice squad, along with WR Deven Thompkins.
Falcons injury report: Kyle Pitts was listed as “limited” practice with a toe injury. Also limited in Week 4 practices are James Pearce Jr. (groin), Jamal Agnew (groin) DeMarcco Hellams (hamstring), and Casey Washington (concussion).
KhaDarel Hodge (groin), AJ Terrell (hamstring), and Nathan Carter (hamstring) did not participate.
Darnell Mooney is no longer listed as injured.
Falcons free stuff
Coach Raheem Morris Press Conference, 9/24/25
