Overview

• During Wednesday’s joint practice in Flowery Branch, Michael Penix Jr. exchanged words after a deep pass and was thrown to the ground in a multi-player scuffle but suffered no injury.
• Falcons linemen and skill players rushed in to defend Penix, a reaction that coach D.J. Williams hailed as evidence of his growing leadership in the locker room.
• Titans linebacker Arden Key said Penix "started it," challenging the quarterback’s claim that trash-talk prompted the fight.
• Later in practice, Falcons linemen Kaleb McGary and Chris Lindstrom engaged in a separate skirmish with Titans defenders, and another confrontation occurred on an adjacent field.
• Head coach Raheem Morris said Penix will sit out Friday’s preseason game to minimize injury risk after the heated sessions.