Why Falcons Starters Are Not Playing in Saturday's Preseason Showdown vs. Colts

The Atlanta Falcons will play their second preseason game on Saturday afternoon against the Indianapolis Colts on the road coming off a week of joint practices where the team got to go up against an opponent rather than themselves.

For those hoping to tune in and see the stars of the team get more preseason action ahead of the actual campaign beginning in two weeks, it does not sound like the starters are going to play. Head coach Kevin Stefanski said early on in the week that the plan is to rest starters altogether, instead opting to give them most of the reps during the actual practice sessions.

This will give second and third team players a full game to continue to make their case why they deserve to be on the roster and gives the staff as well as the front office a full evaluation on some of the more difficult roster decisions facing them.

While this may not be a popular move with a fanbase who wants to get a look at the players who are going to be starting the first regular season game, it is logical in the pursuit of keeping everyone healthy as well as getting a look at players who are fighting to make the roster.

Both Cooper Rush and Jack Strand will get to make their case to be the third quarterback, and potentially even the backup to start the season if Michael Penix Jr. is not fully ready to go for Week 1. Tua Tagovailoa -- who played just two series in the opener and struggled without faring much better in practice -- will likely get the afternoon off given that he remains the starting QB with Penix out.

The battle for the second right tackle spot behind Jawaan Taylor -- a role which could see real playing time this year -- between Michael Jerrell, Brandon Walton and Ethan Onianwa will continue to play out as well.

Fans will also get another look at one of the stories of camp in the inside linebacker rookie tandem of Kendal Daniels and Harold Perkins Jr. as the depth chart continues to work itself out.

Ultimately, these types of games are not the favorites of fans, but it is another look at what the back end of this depth chart could look like and gives coaches additional data points to make some very tough decisions over the next week.