Rich Mckay Chief Executive Officer – Ambse; Chief Executive Officer – Atlanta Falcons | Atlanta Falcons Website
Rich Mckay Chief Executive Officer – Ambse; Chief Executive Officer – Atlanta Falcons | Atlanta Falcons Website
The Atlanta Falcons have initiated the process of reducing their 90-man roster ahead of Tuesday's 53-man cut deadline.
On Sunday, the Falcons announced the release of 13 players:
- Wide receiver Josh Ali
- Offensive lineman Zack Bailey
- Safety Lukas Denis
- Cornerback William Hooper
- Linebacker Storey Jackson
- Offensive lineman Jaryd Jones-Smith
- Offensive lineman John Leglue
- Inside linebacker Donavan Mutin
- Quarterback John Paddock
- Tight end Austin Stogner
- Cornerback Trey Vaval
- Outside linebacker Bradlee Anae
- Tight end Jordan Thomas
Mutin, Denis, and Anae are notable for their preseason performances.
Mutin, an undrafted free agent in 2023, was signed to the Falcons' practice squad in late October. He participated in all three preseason games, accumulating a team-high 28 tackles: six against the Miami Dolphins, four against the Baltimore Ravens, and 18 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He played every defensive snap against the Jaguars.
Denis, also an undrafted free agent signed to the practice squad in early September, recorded 11 tackles over three preseason games. His stats included two tackles for loss and two pass breakups: one pass breakup and three tackles against the Dolphins; four tackles, including two for loss against the Ravens; and four tackles with a pass breakup against the Jaguars. He played every defensive snap against the Ravens.
Anae was a fifth-round draft pick by the Dallas Cowboys in 2020. Since then, he has appeared in 11 games with one quarterback hit and two tackles. His last game experience was in 2021. In 2022, he was on the New York Jets' practice squad before being placed on injured reserve in 2023. The Falcons signed him back in May. Anae played all three preseason games this year, totaling six tackles, four quarterback hits, and 1.5 sacks: one tackle and one quarterback hit against the Dolphins; three tackles, two quarterback hits and a half-sack against the Ravens; and two tackles, a sack and a quarterback hit against the Jaguars. He played up to 77% of defensive snaps in a single game.
With these transactions completed, the Falcons' roster now stands at 77 players. An additional 24 players must be released by Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET.
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