What happened: Michael Penix said Atlanta still believes in rookie Zachariah Branch after his two return fumbles against Chicago. Branch stayed in the return role after the second giveaway, with Kevin Stefanski saying his role will not be reduced.

Why it matters: Return stability matters for Atlanta field position after back-to-back giveaways flipped momentum against Chicago. Keeping Branch in place preserves the Falcons plan to use his speed on special teams and offense rather than resetting the depth chart midseason. His response now shapes trust on a roster managing close games.

What to watch: Watch whether Branch handles returns again this week and how Atlanta divides his snaps on offense.