Five things to know about the Falcons on Thursday

August 31, 2017 Atlanta: Falcons quarterbacks Matt Schaub (from left), Matt Ryan and Matt Simms confer with offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian on the sidelines during the second quarter against the Jaguars in a NFL preseason football game on Thursday, August 31, 2017, in Atlanta.    Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

Credit: ccompton@ajc.com

Credit: ccompton@ajc.com

August 31, 2017 Atlanta: Falcons quarterbacks Matt Schaub (from left), Matt Ryan and Matt Simms confer with offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian on the sidelines during the second quarter against the Jaguars in a NFL preseason football game on Thursday, August 31, 2017, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

Here are five things to know about the Atlanta Falcons, who face the Chicago Bears at 1 p.m. Sunday in Soldier Field in their regular-season opener, on Thursday:

1. Practice. The Falcons practice at 2:20 p.m. Coach Dan Quinn will speak to the media at 1:30 p.m. The open locker for media access will also start at 1:30 p.m.

2. Offense questions. The biggest question entering the season for the Falcons is can Steve Sarkisian keep Kyle Shanahan's offense rolling. Sarkisian meets with the media today after practice.

3. Special teams concerns. Andre Roberts will replace Eric Weems as the kickoff and punt returner. Special teams coordinator Keith Armstrong will address that change today after practice and give a scouting report on the Chicago special teams units.

4. Social media shutdown. If you're looking for insight from Falcons rookie defensive end Takkarist McKinley, don't go to his social media accounts. To focus on football, McKinley imposed a "social media shut down" on himself.

5. Spiral notebook man. Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan doesn't use his team-issued iPad to take notes. He keeps them in and old-fashioned notebook in the digital era. 

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