The Falcons (2-0) are set for their regular-season dress rehearsal game against the Miami Dolphins (1-1) at 8 p.m. Thursday at Camping World Stadium in Orlando.
Falcons coach Dan Quinn is set to play some starters into the third quarter.
“We have not done an extensive game plan for the week,” Quinn said. “We wanted to stay about us, but the routine was very important to establish on how we’ll get ready.”
Here are five players to watch in the key exhibition game:
1. Vic Beasley, linebacker/defensive end. The Falcons are trying to move Beasley to strongside linebacker in the base defense, but have only seen him in that spot for two snaps after he was a late scratch against Cleveland.
The Falcons must figure out if Beasley can handle the new role.
While Beasley is set to rush from left defensive end in the nickel defense, he’s not a lock at strongside linebacker anymore.
“Then also you have (Philip) Wheeler, who is a versatile player,” Falcons defensive coordinator Richard Smith said. “He’s playing (strongside) linebacker and it’s between him and Beasley on first-and-10.”
Beasley has a shoulder injury that is not related to the torn labrum that he played with last season.
“We anticipate full participation for him in the game,” Quinn said. “He had a good comeback from his setback last week. We’re excited to see him, especially in nickel. We anticipate a good bit of throwing in this game.
“That’s been (Dolphins coacch) Adam (Gase’s) history for sure. If they want to try to feature it in that way, then we want to be ready to play that way. Whatever style they want to go then we’ll be ready, too.”
2. Deion Jones, middle linebacker. The rookie second-round pick from LSU has shown his speed and ability to diagnosis plays. But he has to finish with stronger tackles.
He’s in a fierce battle with incumbent Paul Worrilow.
“You’ve got a real good battle going on there,” Smith said. “Because Worrilow has had a really good camp.”
3. Keanu Neal, strong safety. The Falcons first-round pick played 19 snaps and was not credited with a tackle in his NFL debut against Cleveland.
The Falcons want to see Neal impose his physical presence.
Neal will also be asked to cover some running backs and tight ends. He was beaten for a 29-yard touchdown pass against Cleveland on a nice throw by quarterback Robert Griffin III to Pro Bowl tight end Gary Barnidge.
Dolphins tight end Jordan Cameron, a former Pro Bowler, should present Neal with another stiff challenge.
4. Chris Chester, left guard. The Falcons faced the Dolphins in the third exhibition game last season and started Mike Person at left guard, James Stone at center and Chester at right guard.
Chester is the lone returnee of the interior group that was manhandled.
The Dolphins held the Falcons to 2.1 yards rushing per carry, had six sacks, eight quarterback hits and 10 tackles for loss.
Left guard Andy Levitre, center Alex Mack and Chester will face Miami defensive tackles Ndamukong Suh and Earl Mitchell.
“We are showing a lot of grit out there,” Chester said. “We’ve got a ways to go, but we’re definitely headed in the right direction.”
5. Desmond Trufant. The Falcons weren't too worried about Trufant getting beat deep for a 50-yard touchdown pass against Cleveland.
But the Dolphins will likely try to take a shot or two.
“This guy is a veteran football player and you watch the way that he practices and competes,” Smith said. “That’s why he’s a Pro Bowl player.”
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