Atlanta Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski gave an update on May 19 regarding the rehabilitation progress of Bralen Trice, Troy Andersen, and Billy Bowman Jr. as the team began phase III of organized team activities. This phase allows players to wear helmets and participate in drills without live contact.
The status of these key defensive players is important as Atlanta prepares for the upcoming season. The team’s defense has undergone changes since Trice and Andersen last played, and their return could impact performance.
“Everybody is doing really well,” Stefanski said. “They’re all in different stages of what they can do and when. You’ll see some guys, when we go to individual, go off to the side and do some individual work. Everybody is on a good timeline. I’m very pleased with how they’re working.”
Bowman was drafted by Atlanta in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft and quickly earned a starting position before suffering injuries that sidelined him for much of his rookie year. He returned midseason but sustained an Achilles injury that required surgery before Week 12.
Trice missed his entire rookie season after tearing his ACL during a preseason game in Miami in 2024, while Andersen dealt with a knee injury that limited him to eight games before being placed on injured reserve late that same year.
Quarterback Michael Penix Jr., who partially tore his ACL last season, also participated in drills but did not take part in full-team periods. “Mike’s been doing a very good job,” Stefanski said. “As I’ve told you guys since the beginning, his main focus is getting healthy… He’s not doing team periods yet, but that time is coming.”
The Atlanta Falcons are based in Atlanta, Georgia; they compete in the National Football League’s NFC South division and began as an expansion team in 1965; they have advanced to two Super Bowls—in 1998 and 2016—and their mascot is Freddie the Falcon, according to the official website.