Falcons Penalized by NFL for Excessive Contact in Offseason

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons have been penalized by the NFL for having excessive contact in offseason workouts.

The Falcons must forfeit their first three days of organized team activities in 2017 as punishment for a workout in May which involved excessive levels of on-field physical contact. Atlanta's players will be paid for the canceled sessions.

It is the Falcons' first violation of the rule, resulting in a less severe penalty than was given Seattle last month. The Seahawks were fined $400,000, will lose a fifth-round draft choice and will lose a week of OTAs as penalties for their third offense.

The Falcons said in a statement they were disappointed by the penalty, but respect the decision and will make "necessary adjustments moving forward."