Josh Rosen will play in Atlanta Falcons preseason finale

Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith confirmed that recent signee Josh Rosen will play in the team’s final preseason game on Sunday, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s D. Orlando Ledbetter. Rosen made his first appearance at Falcons camp on Wednesday, but his new coach declined to give instant feedback.

The Falcons added Rosen to the roster following a season-ending injury to projected backup A.J. McCarron last week. Outside of starter Matt Ryan, the only other quarterback on the roster is rookie Feleipe Franks.

Smith expanded on his decision to play Rosen against the Browns on Sunday following practice.

“That’s the only fair thing to do,” Smith said, via Ledbetter “We signed him. We have to figure out this backup quarterback spot. So, you’ll see him play at some point Sunday night.”

More about Josh Rosen

Rosen was the No. 10 overall pick in the 2018 Draft, which was touted as one of the best quarterback classes of the decade. So far, the class has not fully delivered on the hype. Rosen is joined by Sam Darnold as the only top-10 picks from that class who are not with their original team.

Josh Rosen was waived by the San Francisco 49ers prior to the Falcons acquiring his rights this week.

The former UCLA star started his career with the Arizona Cardinals but played just one season with the team before the team opted to move on and select Kyler Murray No. 1 overall in 2019. He was then traded to the Miami Dolphins, where he started three games before they decided to draft Tua Tagovailoa No. 5 overall.

In 2020, Rosen spent time on the Buccaneers practice squad before joining the 49ers after a series of injuries derailed their season.

Rosen has 2,845 career passing yards with 12 touchdowns and 19 interceptions over 20 games and 16 starts. He has been sacked 61 times over that time.

Other options at quarterback

Fellow Falcons quarterback Feleipe Franks remains in contention for the backup spot as well. He has played in both preseason games so far this season and finished the game after McCarron’s exit last week.

Franks played college football for Florida and then Arkansas after transferring for his senior season. Franks signed as an undrafted free agent with the Atlanta Falcons this season.

The rookie quarterback finished last Saturday’s game with 46 yards and an interception, adding 32 rushing yards on three carries.