5 Falcons players who could climb the depth chart in joint practices with Colts

After a brutal loss in the preseason opener to the Denver Broncos, the Atlanta Falcons are about to face their biggest test of the summer to date.

The Falcons are set to kick off their first of two joint practices with the Indianapolis Colts this morning, and with that, change will follow . Since the starters won't play in Saturday's preseason clash at Lucas Oil Stadium, it's worth taking note of which Falcons players are playing with the starters or not now.

Kevin Stefanski is gonna give the starters their meaningful reps during these two joint sessions in Indianapolis. so hopefully they don't get as chippy as the Jets-Bucs and Titans-49ers practices last week, which had more contact than a UFC fight, and the injured Falcons cannot afford that right now.

But the Falcons are going through with it no less, since it'll prepare this team for Week 1 in Pittsburgh. But Stefanski has preached competition all summer long, and that won't change now. So after the preseason opener, these five players are in a good spot to climb the depth chart in these practices.

Who stands the most to gain during Atlanta Falcons' joint practices?

LB Josh Woods

There were several reasons the Atlanta Falcons released Troy Andersen that go well beyond his injury history, and Josh Woods has to be one of them. In the preseason opener, Woods tied Sydney Brown for the team lead with six tackles (four solo), and he also added a tackle for loss. Not a bad showing.

With Divine Deablo sidelined, the Falcons have seen a mix of Kendal Daniels and Harold Perkins Jr. getting the first-team reps, with Christian Harris mixing in as well. But during Monday's session, Woods himself started to get first-team reps as it looks like his roster chances are starting to go up.

WR Vinny Anthony II

Undrafted receiver Vinny Anthony was one of the biggest winners from the Dirty Birds' preseason opener. He caught just one pass for five yards, but he really made his money in the return game. He returned three kicks for 90 yards, proving that he has the juice to make an impact on special teams.

Anthony has been one of the team's most reliable targets in training camp to date, and while he's embroiled in a competitive roster battle, he has another chance to make a strong impression and push for more work with the second-teamers. And if he does so, his roster chances look better.

OL Kam Dewberry

Now that the Falcons have released Layden Robinson, undrafted rookie Kam Dewberry is no longer a consistent third-stringer. His only competition for the backup right guard spot is the newly-signed Jaeden Roberts, and since Dewberry has been in Atlanta for longer, I would give him the edge here.

S Jammie Robinson

So far, the Falcons' main safeties have been Xavier Watts, Jessie Bates, and DeMarcco Hellams, but Jammie Robinson is pushing for more snaps. He recovered the fumble forced by JD Bertrand that set up Atlanta's lone touchdown on Friday night, and added four tackles (three solo) of his own.

Since the Falcons are using Sydney Brown as more of a nickel corner and Watts and Bates are both currently injured (but progressing), Robinson may get some first-team reps alongside Hellams until the star safety duo is a full go to return.

QB Jack Strand

It remains to be seen whether Jack Strand is the QB3 or QB4, but it feels obvious where he should be. He looked pretty solid in his NFL debut, completing 50% of his passes and displaying interesting upside, but he also looked significantly better than Cooper Rush--who threw two interceptions--did.

For an undrafted rookie with no D1 or NFL experience before Friday night's loss, the Falcons have thrown him into the fire, and it's impressive considering he hasn't completely melted down. I would've expected Rush's performance from Strand and vice versa, but he displayed much more poise.

While Kevin Stefanski didn't name who will draw the start on Saturday night, a strong showing should continue tilting this in the 22-year-old's favor.

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