FLOWERY BRANCH – Linebacker Pat Angerer's once-promising NFL career could be over after he was released by the Falcons on Friday.

He was in the first round of cuts made by the team, which also released linebacker Yawin Smallwood and fullback Maurice Hagens.

The Falcons were at 75 players after completed the exhibition season with a 2-2 record and have to reach the league-mandated 53-man roster by 4 p.m. on Saturday.

Falcons linebackers Joplo Bartu (59) and Yawin Smallwood (54) run through drills during the mini-camp. Atlanta Falcons players workout during the second day of mini-camp at the team's facilities in Flowery Branch, Wednesday, June 18, 2014. KENT D. JOHNSON/KDJOHNSON@AJC.COM

Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter

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Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter

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Angerer, 27, was trying to make a comeback after undergoing microfracture knee surgery in December. The Colts selected Angerer in the second round of the 2010 draft out of Iowa and he started 39 of 53 games for them before ending last season on injured reserve.

The Falcons selected Smallwood in the seventh-round (253 overall) of the draft.

Hagens was an undrafted rookie from Miami. He played in all 13 games, making five starts for the Hurricans. He also played on special teams.

Check back later for more updates on the cuts.

The Falcons later announced that they have waived defensive end Nosa Eguae, cornerback Jordan Mabin, wide receiver Freddie Martino, safety Kimario McFadden, tight end Jacob Pedersen, offensive lineman Adam Replogle and defensive tackle Donte Rumph, offensive tackle Pat McQuistan and running back Josh Vaughan.

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