Here’s the thing with preseason: Some coaches consider it a vital opportunity to test their starters and get them ready for the regular season, and others consider it little more than an obligatory method to get hopefuls and reserves live game exposure as they winnow down the roster. The Atlanta Falcons, very obviously, fall into the latter camp.
Quite a few coaches do, now. Sean McDermott of the Bills pulled the plug on rolling out any starters with injuries mounting, while the Dolphins, Lions, Ravens, Panthers, Eagles, and other teams either played starters briefly in one game or have avoided doing so at all.