Falcons free safety Ricardo Allen felt the first-team defense played well in the exhibition opener against Washington on Thursday at the Georgia Dome.

“We swarmed,” Allen said. “Everybody was running. The communication was on point and when we’re all wrong, we’re all right even though we didn’t have any mental errors or anything, we were all out there talking.”

Allen knows the defense has things to work on before the Falcons play their second exhibition game against the Browns on Thursday in Cleveland.

“Just to iron out the techniques, getting a little more communication, and to keep bringing that aggressive style of play,” Allen said.

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Atlanta Falcons linebacker James Pearce Jr. returned to practice Thursday after suffering a groin injury. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

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