Michael Penix Jr. headlines 36-man inactive roster from Atlanta Falcons to Baltimore Ravens

The Atlanta Falcons are scheduled to play their second preseason game at noon Saturday against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.

But most of the Falcons players fans know best — and more — won’t be on the field, as they were in Friday night’s 20-13 loss to the Miami Dolphins.

And unlike the preseason opener, first-round rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. surprisingly won’t see the field.

According to Terrin Waack of Falcons.Com, here is the list of 36 Atlanta players who were cut from the roster before the game…

OFFENSE

Quarterback: Kirk Cousins, Michael Penix Jr.

Running backs: Bijan Robinson, Tyler Allgeier

Receivers: Drake London, Darnell Mooney, Ray-Ray McCloud III, KhaDarel Hodge

Tight ends: Kyle Pitts, Charlie Woerner, Ross Dwelley

Offensive line: Jake Matthews, Matthew Bergeron, Drew Dalman, Chris Lindstrom, Kaleb McGary (full five starters)

DEFENSE

Defensive Line: Grady Jarrett, David Onyemata, Zach Harrison, Kentavius ​​Street, Ta’Quon Graham, Eddie Goldman, Matthew Judon, Lorenzo Carter

Linebackers: Kaden Elliss, Nate Landman, Troy Andersen

Secondaries: Jessie Bates III, AJ Terrell, Dee Alford, Mike Hughes, Clark Phillips III, Antonio Hamilton Sr., Dane Cruikshank (ankle injury), DeMarcco Hellams (ankle injury), Justin Simmons

Essentially, none of Atlanta’s starters will play — and if it were up to Falcons coach Raheem Morris, none of his players would play.

The Falcons lost two players — rookie outside linebacker Bralen Trice and defensive end Harrison Hand, each with knee injuries — for the season and another — safety DeMarcco Hellams — was sidelined with an ankle injury — for a significant period of time due to injuries suffered against the Dolphins.

Morris said he didn’t want to play in the preseason games, but in most cases, he doesn’t have a choice. Trice is entering his first NFL season, while Hellams is entering his second year. Morris said they needed reps. Hand is battling for a roster spot and was likely sidelined before the game. Essentially, all three had reasons to play.

But for anyone with actual playing experience, the Falcons don’t want them playing in the preseason in hopes of avoiding the injury bug, which Morris imposes on himself every time a player leaves due to illness.

“You always look back and every time a player gets hurt, you want to blame yourself,” Morris said. “So I take full responsibility for that when our players get hurt in preseason games. And it doesn’t change anything. It just shows how I feel about the preseason when it comes to these types of things when you can’t mitigate injuries.”

Even for those who don’t play, the game still matters. Cousins ​​and Bates both said this week that they wear headphones so they can hear play calls and that they play their positions effectively from the sidelines.

So Saturday will be filled with mental rehearsals for Atlanta’s starters (and a few backups) – with Morris doing everything in his power to ensure no more significant injuries occur.