FLOWERY BRANCH -- Falcons cornerback Ricardo Allen, who was selected in the fifth-round of the 2014 draft, was signed to the active roster on Tuesday.

He spent the first 15 weeks of the season on the practice squad. He takes the spot

Rookie cornerback Ricardo Allen #37 of the Atlanta Falcons runs drills during rookie minicamp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility on May 16, 2014 in Flowery Branch, Georgia. (May 15, 2014 - Source: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images North America)

Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter

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Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter

on the 53-man roster that was created when cornerback Robert Alford (wrist surgery) was placed on injured reserve.

“Ricardo has been working extremely hard,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said.

Allen, 5-foot-9, 186 pounds, was selected 147th overall out of Purdue. of the 2014 NFL Draft out of Purdue.

Allen earned All-Big 10 honors all four years with the Boilermakers and finished his career as the school record holder with four interception returns for touchdowns, 13 interceptions and 263 total tackles.

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