FLOWERY BRANCH — The Falcons went through their COVID-19 testing Monday and will have most of the roster available for the opening game against the Eagles at 1 p.m. Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Only linebacker Brandon Copeland and cornerback Kendall Sheffield were not at practice Monday. Tight end Parker Hesse is the only player on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

With some players traveling to college games over the weekend, some NFL teams were concerned with losing players either to COVID-19 contact tracing or positive results.

“Everybody was available today in practice, that was a plus,” Falcons coach Arthur Smith said.

The Falcons were the first NFL team to reach 100% vaccination status.

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In the Falcons' exhibition game in August against the Lions, placekicker Lenny Krieg (right) made one of two field goals — with the successful kick a 57-yarder — and kicked an extra point at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The German has been on Atlanta's practice squad this season as part of the NFL's International Player Pathways program. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com

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