"Baller," was how quarterback Michael Penix described 6-foot-5, first-year edge rusher James Pearce Jr. The 26th pick in the 2025 Draft out of Tennessee, Pearce first turned some heads on Sunday with his intensity. RELATED: Bijan Robinson is preparing for another busy season as Falcons' do-it-all running back

Upgrading the pass rush was a primary goal for the Atlanta Falcons this offseason. After all, they haven't had a player reach 10 sacks in a single season since 2016, marking the longest active drought in the NFL.

The Atlanta Falcons got back to work on Tuesday morning for their first fully padded practice. Before they took the field, though, head coach Raheem Morris addressed Sunday's minor practice scuffle.