Falcons training camp: a look at Tuesday’s activities, and a tracker for Wednesday

The Falcons got another installment of training camp in Tuesday, a day where Vic Beasley was Vic Beastley, future Hall of Fame safety Ed Reed wore a Falcons hat and the first unofficial depth chart of 2018 came out.

The team also got some red zone work in, Julio Jones talked a little and Wes Schweitzer put a feather in his 2018 cap.

• On the health front, DE Takkarist McKinley continues to get back into the routine of things. He went through individual and team drills Tuesday, a sign that he will get into regular practice at some point in the future. McKinley has a shoulder bruise he’s been rehabbing to the side over the last few days. While he should be in full contact practice sometime within the next week, don’t be surprised if Atlanta holds him out for Friday’s preseason bout with the Jets. There’s no reason for him to play just yet.
• Speaking of defensive ends, Vic Beasley showed a side of him we don’t see a lot Tuesday, putting poor rookie RB Ito Smith on his butt with a tackle for loss.

• Beasley has a lot riding on 2018 as it comes to his future with the team, and between this and what he did to UDFA Matt Gono, it sure does look like he’s beginning to play with more aggression. One wonders how new Asst. DL coach Travis Jones, and previous camp helpers Patrick Kerney and Chuck Smith, and DL coach Bryant Young with a year under his belt, might’ve helped the 2016 sack leader tap into more of a mean streak with his play. We’ll see if Beastley makes an appearance in the preseason.
• Former Al-Pro safety Ed Reed stopped by Flowery Branch Tuesday to visit and assist with practice. He was on Rex Ryan’s staff with the Bills for a short while, and sported a Falcons hat while attending. Could this mean Dan Quinn is eyeing Reed to assist with coaching sometime down the line? It’s certainly possible. Though, today, it just appears like Reed wanted to stop by and see what the Falcons were up to. WR Chad Johnson stopped by Monday.

• The red zone offense got a little work in, with Austin Hooper’s chemistry with Matt Ryan reportedly not looking too shabby down where it counts. Speaking of red zone work, Julio Jones shared some insight into where he thinks his role in the Falcons’ red zone offense needs to go.

• Quinn shared a moving story about the team finding out about FS Ricardo Allen’s extension that’s sure to get you in your feels as you start your Wednesday. What a guy Allen is.

• With the depth chart out, it looks like Wes Schweitzer is the penciled-in starter for the preseason game. That might just be an organizational hat-tip to Wes for the offseason he’s had and his seniority over Brandon Fusco for time with the team. Our own D.W. broke down the team’s first chart for 2018, pointing out the new developments, like FB Ricky Ortiz getting the early nod ahead of Luke McNitt in the fullback race.
• And, of course, we still have no idea who will return kicks and punts this season. Here’s the latest from the mother ship on who’s doing what there.

So, that’s what happened on Tuesday. Here’s Wednesday’s tracker.