SMILE. IT’S EXHIBITION TIME

The first exhibition game has arrived.

Although most of the Falcons’ projected starters will not play, there will be some key position battles to keep an eye on when they face the Lions at 7 p.m. Friday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

The Falcons’ defense, which will feature six to eight new starters, has several players who’ll get action with a shot to win a starting job.

Quarterback Easton Stick is set to guide the offense, and Emory Jones, a Heard County product from LaGrange, will back him. Michael Penix Jr. and Kirk Cousins will not play.

👀 One player to keep an eye on: running back Carlos Washington Jr. He’s been one of the stars of training camp, and with Tyler Allgeier set to become a free agent after the season, there could be an opening in the backfield in 2026.

Penix and running back Bijan Robinson have been singing the praises of Washington, who’s been on the practice squad the past two seasons.

“Carlos, he’s done such an amazing job since he’s been here,” Falcons coach Raheem Morris said. “The development of Carlos, coming in, becoming a pro, and then really focusing on his nutrition, then really focusing on him owning everything in our playbook, now focusing on him, taking the next step of being a guy who can go out there and get some reps for us in live games.”

• Jake Matthews likes the energy
• Jalon Walker ready to play

Washington looks leaner, has been hitting the holes and appears faster.

“Watching him really mature throughout the course of last year was absolutely awesome,” Morris said. “When you give a guy a helmet, move him up from the practice squad, you put him on a team, the team (clapped it) up for him with that true enthusiasm.”

Morris said he wants to see Washington take the next step, as he’ll get significant playing time.

👀 Another player to watch is second-year wide receiver Casey Washington, who’s been getting some action with the first-team offense while Darnell Mooney is out with a shoulder injury.