Falcons open 2025 camp with rookie buzz for Jalon Walker & James Pearce Jr., but injury updates on Kyle Pitts & Troy Andersen create early season drama.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
The wait is over. Football is officially back in Flowery Branch as the Atlanta Falcons kicked off the 2025 AT&T Training Camp to the roar of a sold-out crowd. The energy was electric, fueled by viral social media clips of players arriving and the palpable excitement for a new season. But beneath the surface of day-one optimism lie the two biggest questions that will define this team's early trajectory: the health of star tight end Kyle Pitts and key linebacker Troy Andersen.
The sky is the limit for that kid.
While the veterans are the established core, all eyes were on the new blood, and they did not disappoint. First-round edge rushers Jalon Walker (No. 15 overall) and James Pearce Jr. (No. 26) are already turning heads. Veteran linebacker Kaden Elliss didn't hold back his praise for Walker, noting his versatility to play both inside and on the edge and stating, 'The sky is the limit for that kid.' Pro Bowl guard Chris Lindstrom echoed the sentiment, complimenting the entire rookie class on their preparation and work ethic, hinting that they're expected to contribute from day one. For a team that has invested heavily in its pass rush, this early buzz is exactly what the front office and fans wanted to see.
The good news on the rookie front was tempered by concerns over key veterans. The team officially placed linebacker Troy Andersen on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list to start camp as he continues to recover from last season's knee injury. His absence creates a significant question mark for the defense. Meanwhile, tight end Kyle Pitts made his long-awaited return to the facility after missing spring activities with a foot injury. While his presence is a welcome sight, Head Coach Raheem Morris emphasized the team is being 'extremely cautious' with the star tight end. In a crucial contract year, Pitts' ability to get and stay on the field will be one of the most scrutinized storylines of the entire preseason.
The questions on the field haven't dampened the spirits of the fanbase. The Falcons announced that all complimentary tickets for the first three open practices were completely claimed, leading to a packed house on Thursday. The high demand reflects a city buzzing with anticipation for a pivotal season. The team's social media channels captured the excitement, with videos of players arriving ready to work and the #RiseUp hashtag trending all day. This isn't just another training camp; it feels like the start of something big, and the fans are all-in.
Day one is in the books, and the narratives for the preseason are already taking shape. The immediate focus will be on monitoring the progress of Pitts and seeing how the defense shuffles its linebacker rotation without Andersen. But the real excitement will begin when the pads come on. Can the rookie pass rushers translate veteran praise into practice field dominance? The early signs are promising, but the journey is just beginning. Stay tuned, Falcons fans, this is going to be a fascinating camp to watch.
