FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Falcons News Now is your go-to source for the real stories coming out of Flowery Branch each week. We're providing a one-stop shop for you to browse through all Falcons-related news at the end of every week of the 2025 season — who's winning reps, who's earning trust and what's happening in and around your favorite team.

From roster move analysis, practice intel, big-play highlights and so much more, this isn't just the news you need, it's what shapes Sundays in Atlanta.

Ultimately, if something matters to this locker room, it makes this newsletter.

So, if you eat, sleep and breathe Falcons football? This is your inside edge — every update, every storyline, all in one place. And this week? The Falcons head to the bayou to face their most hated foe, the New Orleans Saints.

The News, Now

Key developments on the field and roster move analysis

Injuries, injuries, injuries. The Falcons have significant health-related news stacking up, and hardly any of it is good a positive prognosis.

The Falcons will be without quarterback Michael Penix Jr. for the remainder of the 2025 season, as it was confirmed he has a partially torn ACL in his left knee that will require surgery. As of Wednesday, Morris said Penix had not yet had the full reconstructive surgery needed to repair the injury. It is reported Penix will go through — at minimum — a nine-month recovery process as he finishes his second professional season on injured reserve.

"All of this puts the Falcons in a position they hoped — and planned — to avoid," writes Tori McElhaney in a column this week.

Kirk Cousins will assume the starting quarterback role. To replenish the room, the Falcons elevated Easton Stick to the active roster from the practice squad and signed Kyle Trask to the practice squad in his place.

"Obviously got a good opportunity against the Saints this week," Cousins said Wednesday. "But wanted to just acknowledge how tough the injury is for Michael. My heart breaks for him. He's someone who has handled adversity so well through his football journey, and unfortunately, he's having to do it again. But I'm very confident he has a lot of good football ahead of him. …

"And yeah, we're just looking forward to getting to go against the Saints and trying to get back on track here and get things going in the right direction."

In other injury news, the Falcons will also be without No. 1 receiver Drake London in New Orleans, as it was revealed London is week-to-week with a PCL sprain.

Arguably the only bit of good news the Falcons received this week involved inside linebacker Divine Deablo, who has been on injured reserve with a fracture in his forearm. The team opened up his 21-day window to return to the active roster. Though he was listed as questionable in Friday's game report, Morris has said all week that he expects to have Deablo available to the defense in New Orleans.

"Assuming everything goes well," Morris said, "he should be back playing."

For all injury news, you can view all three Falcons injury reports below, including the game designations given (or not given) on Friday as well as a developing injury story involving Billy Bowman Jr.

Wednesday, Nov. 19: Drake London expected to miss game vs. Saints

Thursday, Nov. 20: Divine Deablo progressing well as Saints rivalry prep continues

Friday, Nov. 21: Billy Bowman Jr. added to report with Achilles injury; Morris claims it is not good news for the rookie

How did the rest of the league fair in Week 11? Will McFadden breaks it down in his weekly power rankings, while Will also highlighted the NFC South's performance, too.

Plus, check out this week's mailbag where Tori McElhaney answer your burning questions about the state of the Falcons.

Falcons Mailbag: Looking ahead to the 2026 NFL Draft, already?

Fan Zone Highlights

Tweets, videos and podcasts you may have missed

In the Nest

Behind-the-scenes stories, locker room insight into team culture

A big area of concern for the Falcons is what to do without London on the field. The star receiver has been exactly that for Atlanta all season long.

The Falcons need someone else to step up in his absence – big time. According to reporting by Terrin Waack, London's 60 receptions for 810 yards and six touchdowns are more than all the other wide receivers' totals combined. Darnell Mooney, Casey Washington, KhaDarel Hodge, David Sills V and Ray-Ray McCloud III, who was released in Week 8, are collectively responsible for 35 receptions for 447 yards and no touchdowns.

Atlanta needs more from it's wide receiver room, especially with a new quarterback under center.

"I'd love to see (Mooney) really be able to take off here in the last stretch of the year," Cousins said this week.

Game Day Intel

Upcoming match previews and predictions

Catch up on any Falcons lineup changes in the Week 12 depth chart.

Who do the experts predict will win on Sunday? Terrin Waack has a comprehensive list in this week's Expert Picks.

Stats and milestones brought to you by StatsPerform:

• With a win on Sunday, the Falcons would tie the all-time regular season series against the Saints (55-56 currently). A Falcons win would mark the first road win for either team in the series since Week 1 of the 2022 season (27-26 Saints win in Atlanta).
• Jalon Walker (4.0) and James Pearce Jr. (2.5) are the second pair of Falcons rookies to each record at least 2.5 sacks in a single season since sacks were officially tracked for players in 1982 (1988 Aundray Bruce – 6.0, Marcus Cotton – 5.0). Walker and Pearce Jr. are ranked first and third respectively in sacks among rookies this season.
• The Falcons have scored a touchdown on 10 consecutive red zone drives (including three red zone scores against the Panthers). Another TD on their next red zone drive would tie their longest such streak over the last 30 seasons (11 straight in September 2018).

Sunday is My Cause My Cleats day across the NFL, an initiative where players and coaches alike wear custom designed cleats representing a cause close to their hearts. This week, Will McFadden put a spotlight on Jalon Walker and why he chose to raise awareness for Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita (AMC), a condition affecting someone Walker holds dear.

You can check out this year's colorful cleats for a good cause in the album below.