FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris already announced starting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. will not play in Friday’s preseason opener against the Detroit Lions at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

That decision was based heavily on Morris' intent to give Penix a heavy dose of game-like reps during Wednesday's full-team scrimmage. The same goes for the other first-team players, too.

"This is their day," Morris said. "The guys that you plan on not going (Friday), right? You plan on them not going because of what you're going to do today. You're planning on giving them the high-level work, the looks.

"So, let's just talk about Michael Penix, for example. Michael Penix is going to go out there, and he's going to get all the high-level looks, all the protection looks, all

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