Arthur Smith has not been alone in parking his starters in preseason, something that seems likely to continue in Week 2. Sean McVay and Bruce Arians are among the head coaches taking similar approaches to shortened preseason, with McVay mothballing new quarterback Matthew Stafford. If the offense in particular gets off to a slow start, there will be plenty of questions about that strategy in Atlanta, but Smith is clearly keen on avoiding injuries.
That’s why I have to wonder if we’ve seen the last of Marlon Davidson this preseason. The second-year defensive lineman was one of the more impressive Falcons on the field against Tennessee, muscling his way into the backfield against Titans backups and looking strong and capable.