The Falcons have scored on their first two drives — first a touchdown to Charlie Woerner, and then a Nick Folk field goal.
Pitts didn’t have a catch on either drive, though, raising the same question that has arisen a lot in games for the Falcons this season.
Is Kyle Pitts Playing Today?
GettyATLANTA, GEORGIA – OCTOBER 18: Kyle Pitts Sr. #8 of the Atlanta Falcons reacts after a touchdown as he is tackled by Dillon Thieneman #31 of the Chicago Bears during the fourth quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on October 18, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
Yes, Pitts is playing on Sunday.
There are no injury concerns. He’s healthy and active.
Pitts has been on the field on the majority of the Falcons’ early snaps.
Michael Penix Jr. threw Pitts a pass, too, but it was just a bit off target and Pitts couldn’t bobble the ball into his hands for a catch.
What Number is Kyle Pitts?
GettyATLANTA, GEORGIA – SEPTEMBER 20: Kyle Pitts Sr. #8 of the Atlanta Falcons reacts against the Carolina Panthers during the first quarter of the game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
Kyle Pitts wears jersey number 8.
Most of the Falcons’ skill players are single-digits — Drake London is 5, Bijan Robinson is 7 and Jahan Dotson is 4.
Why Charlie Woerner Caught TD
GettyFalcon’s tight end #89 Charlie Woerner (L) throws a pass during the 2026 NFL Madrid Game American football match between Cincinnati Bengals and Atlanta Falcons at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, on November 8, 2026. The National Football League return to Madrid with this 2026 NFL regular season game for the second time following 2025 first edition at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. (Photo by Oscar DEL POZO / AFP via Getty Images)
The Falcons use four tight ends on a regular basis with Charlie Woerner, Nick Muse and Austin Hooper in addition to Pitts.
They often have multiple of the non-Pitts TEs in the game near the goal line. They’re better blockers than Pitts.
That can set up play-action passes, though, and that’s how Penix found Woerner for a short touchdown. It wasn’t anything that Pitts did wrong. It was just part of the Falcons’ strategy.
Billy Heyen Billy Heyen is a Heavy contributor with focus on the NFL and MLB. He is a 2019 graduate of Syracuse University who spent his senior year following Jim Boeheim's basketball team around the country. His reporting work has also included extensive work for The Sporting News, the Sandusky Register and Rochester's Democrat & Chronicle. Adventures in sports writing have also led to in-person coverage of the Buffalo Sabres, Cleveland Guardians, U.S. men's national soccer team and a variety of minor league baseball stories. More about Billy Heyen
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Is Kyle Pitts Playing Today? Why Falcons’ TE Lost TD to Charlie Woerner
Another week, more questions about Kyle Pitts. The Atlanta Falcons‘ No. 1 tight end has started slow in Spain against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday in Week 9. The Falcons have scored on their first two drives — first a touchdown to Charlie Woerner, and then a Nick Folk field goal. Pitts didn’t have a […]
Is Kyle Pitts Playing Today? Why Falcons’ TE Lost TD to Charlie Woerner