Falcons' Zachariah Branch: Continues to contribute as returner
Rotowire
Branch caught one pass on two targets for seven yards while logging an 18-yard punt return and a 22-yard kickoff return during the Falcons' 35-14 win over the Packers on Thursday.
The rookie third-rounder has contributed on both special teams as a returner and on offense as a rotational pass catcher. He's up to three catches (on four targets) for 21 yards and 110 return yards through three regular-season games. His involvement on offense hasn't been as high as other rookie wide receivers, but the Falcons appear committed to using Branch in multiple ways to utilize his speed and explosiveness.
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Falcons' Zachariah Branch: Catches both targets in loss
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Branch caught both of his targets for 14 yards and returned one punt for seven yards in Sunday's 34-3 loss against the Panthers.
Branch saw 14 offensive snaps and 11 special-teams snaps in Sunday's contest. The wide receiver had a better Week 2 performance after not showing up in the box score for the Falcons' Week 1 loss to the Steelers. Branch remains the No. 1 punt returner for the team as well as a depth option at wide receiver.
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Falcons' Zachariah Branch: Sees snaps at returner
Rotowire
Branch returned three punts for 33 yards and one kickoff for 30 yards in the Falcons' 20-13 loss to the Steelers on Sunday.
Branch saw 18 offensive snaps in the contest but did not show up in the box score. The wide receiver's six special-teams snaps resulted in four return attempts, hinting at a potentially expanded role with the unit in the coming weeks.
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Falcons' Zachariah Branch: Stays limited Thursday
Rotowire
Branch (hamstring) remained limited at practice Thursday, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.
Branch has been a limited participant in consecutive practices to kick off Week 1 prep, but the rookie third-round pick still has a chance to avoid an injury designation if he can upgrade to full practice participation Friday as he looks to make his NFL debut Sunday against the Steelers. Branch is expected to fill a reserve role at wide receiver to begin his career, but he's penciled in as Atlanta's primary punt returner.
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Falcons' Zachariah Branch: Returns punt in preseason win
Rotowire
Branch returned a punt for 18 yards during the Falcons' 17-12 preseason win over the Dolphins on Friday.
Branch didn't see much action Friday, playing a total of four snaps (three on offense, one on special teams). However, his lone snap on special teams came as a punt returner, and he figures to see plenty of work as a returner in the upcoming season, especially if he doesn't get much playing time on offense behind Drake London, Jahan Dotson and Olamide Zaccheaus.
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Falcons' Zachariah Branch: Bound for Atlanta
Rotowire
The Falcons selected Branch in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft, 79th overall.
Branch (5-foot-9, 177 pounds) started two seasons at USC before transferring to Georgia in 2025, where he broke out with a career-best 81 catches for 811 yards and six TDs across 14 games. The 22-year-old lacks size but boasts quick twitch and tremendous speed (4.35 second 40-yard dash), meaning the most natural areas for him to contribute at the NFL-level may be the slot or in a gadget role, as well as potentially in the return game -- a skill set that nicely complements WRs Drake London, Jahan Dotson and Olamide Zaccheaus. The extent of Branch's role as a rookie may be notably determined by how much chemistry he's able to develop with dueling QBs Michael Penix (ACL) and Tua Tagovailoa this offseason. Branch was arrested Sunday and is facing misdemeanor charges.
