Falcons’ 53-man roster to take shape throughout the day Tuesday
FLOWERY BRANCH — The Falcons, who have an injury situation at offensive tackle, must cut their roster to the 53-player limit by 4 p.m. Tuesday, per NFL rules.
The Falcons started early Tuesday making moves, as running back Jashaun Corbin was waived before 9 a.m., according to his agent. A little later, running back Carlos Washington Jr. was waived, according to his agent. He’s expected to be signed to the practice squad.
“It’s always tough to do cuts,” Falcons coach Raheem Morris said. “You never get comfortable doing that.”
Cornerback Cobee Bryant is being waived, according to his agent. Safety/linebacker Ronnie Harrison is being released, according to ESPN.
Quarterback Easton Stick, who started all three exhibition games, was released, according to NFL Media. He completed 54 of 78 passes (69.2%) for 520 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions and finished with a 89.7 passer rating.
Also, with injuries to two of their top three offensive tackles, the Falcons traded a conditional draft pick for an offensive tackle, according to his agent Brian Hamilton.
The Falcons picked up Michael Jerrell for a conditional seventh-round pick in the 2027 NFL draft.
Jerrell, who’s 6-foot-5 and 309 pounds, was drafted in the sixth round of the 2024 draft the Seahawks. He played in 10 games and made three starts last season after playing in college at Findlay.
Starting right tackle Kaleb McGary (left leg) and swing tackle Storm Norton (ankle) are expected to start the season injured reserve.
The Falcons began the process Saturday by releasing 12 players and placing one on injured reserve.
After getting down to 53 players and waiver claims are processed, the Falcons can start adding up to 16 players to the practice squad after noon Wednesday. The Falcons can go up to 17 players if the additional player is from the International Pathways Program, such as kicker Lenny Krieg.
“Nowadays, it is a lot easier because of the practice squad and the (promotions) and a second chance to have the opportunity to do those things with the league giving us more practice-squad players,” Morris said. “That’s awesome. But there is still a handful of guys that you may not see again or may not be on the roster. Those things are always tough.”
Morris and the Falcons kind of tipped their hand by not playing their key players in the exhibition games.
The Falcons did not play 37 players against the Lions, 36 against the Titans and 41 against the Cowboys. Quarterbacks Michael Penix Jr. and Kirk Cousins did not take a snap during the exhibitions.
Also, the Falcons have decisions to make with linebacker Troy Andersen (knee) and wide receiver Darnell Mooney (shoulder).
“That’s always the toughest thing for a front office and its coaches,” Morris said. “I said a long time ago, once I get comfortable with that, it’s time to sit next to (reporters) and write about it.”
Here’s a look at the Falcons roster approaching the deadline. Check back for updates throughout the day:
Quarterbacks (2)
Last season, the Falcons opened with Cousins and Penix and likely will do the same this year.
Easton Stick has played well in the exhibition games and could be added to the practice squad if he clears waivers. Also, the Falcons had Emory Jones and Ben DiNucci on the roster. Jones went to injured reserve, and DiNucci was released Saturday.
Locks: Penix and Cousins
Released: DiNucci, Stick.
Running backs (4)
Last season, the Falcons opened with Bijan Robinson, Tyler Allgeier, Avery Williams and Jase McClellan.
Williams left in free agency and McClellan was released, so there are possibly two spots open.
Nathan Carter has been the star of the exhibition games, while Washington Jr. was having a strong training camp before being slowed by a hamstring injury. He returned to individual drills Monday.
Locks: Robinson, Allgeier
Bubble: Carter
Released or waived: Elijah Dotson, Corbin and Washington
Wide receivers (5)
Mooney, Drake London, KhaDarel Hodge, Ray-Ray McCloud and Casey Washington made the 53-man roster at the start of last season. Chris Blair was promoted to the opening-game roster from the practice squad, as Washington was inactive.
Mooney missed most of training camp with a shoulder injury.
Washington had a strong training camp and flashed as a gunner on punt coverage.
This may be the deepest position group on the team, as Dylan Drummond, David Sills V and Jesse Matthews played well in the games and practices. Matthews was cut Saturday.
Jamal Agnew is slated to be the returner.
Locks: London, Mooney, McCloud, Hodge, Washington, Agnew, Blair
Bubble: Drummond, Sills
Long shot: Nick Nash
Released or waived: Quincy Skinner Jr., Matthews
Tight ends (3)
Kyle Pitts, Charlie Woerner and Ross Dwelley opened last season. Dwelley was not re-signed in free agency.
It’s a contract year for Pitts, who has looked great in the practices. He appears to have bonded with Penix.
Woerner returns to handle the dirty work in the run game.
Locks: Pitts, Woerner
Bubble: Feleipe Franks, Teagan Quitoriano
Long shots: Joshua Simon
Released or waived: Nikola Kalinic
Offensive line (8)
Ryan Neuzil will take over at center for Drew Dalman, who signed with the Bears in free agency.
McGary (lower left leg) and Norton (ankle) appear headed for injured reserve, opening up two tackle spots to start the season. Elijah Wilkinson and Brandon Parker are the top tackle candidates.
Guards Chris Lindstrom and Matthew Bergeron are back as starters, along with left tackle Jake Matthews. Jovaughn Gwyn has emerged as the backup center while rookie Jack Nelson might get fast-tracked with the injuries at tackle.
Locks: Lindstrom, Matthews, Bergeron, Neuzil, Wilkinson, Gwyn, Nelson. (We’re projecting McGary and Norton to IR.)
Bubble: Parker, Kyle Hinton
Long shots: Jordan Williams, Joshua Gray
Released or waived: Matthew Cindric
Injured reserve: Jake Hanson
Defensive line (8)
Ruke Orhorhoro and Brandon Dorlus will attempt to replace Grady Jarrett, who was released and signed with the Bears in free agency.
Veteran Morgan Fox was about the only surprise in the early cuts. He was signed to a two-year contract with $3 million guaranteed, according to Spotrac.
Locks: David Onyemata, Zach Harrison, Kentavius Street, Orhorhoro, Dorlus
Bubble: Ta’Quon Graham, LaCale London
Long shot: Simeon Barrow Jr.
Released or waived: Fox
Outside linebackers (5)
Lorenzo Carter and Matthew Judon opened as starters last season. Carter signed with the Titans, but later retired. Judon recently signed a one-year, $6 million deal with the Dolphins.
Carter and Judon will be replaced by Leonard Floyd and either Arnold Ebiketie, Jalon Walker or James Pearce Jr. after the Falcons remade the position over the offseason.
Pearce had a great training camp, while Walker was slowed by injuries. The Falcons are hoping to have Walker ready to play in the season opener.
The Falcons may have lit a fire under Ebiketie by drafting two players at the position in the first round. Floyd has come on late in his career and will lead the charge.
Locks: Floyd, Pearce, Walker, Ebiketie and Bralen Trice
Bubble: Khalid Kareem
Released or waived: Ronnie Perkins
Inside linebackers (4)
Kaden Elliss and Divine Deablo, who was signed in free agency, are the projected starters.
JD Bertand played as a rookie, and Josh Woods had a strong training camp.
DeAngelo Malone, who Morris called the “barnyard bully” of the special teams, spent time at both linebacker positions for depth reasons.
Locks: Elliss, Deablo, Bertand, Malone
Bubble: Woods
Released or waived: Ronnie Harrison, Caleb Johnson, Nick Kubitz
Cornerbacks (6)
The development of cornerback Natrone Brooks was on display in the exhibition games and in practices. He kept showing up at the ball and was making plays. He’ll take over one of the backup roles that veterans Antonio Hamilton and Kevin King held last season.
Rookie Billy Bowman Jr. came on late in camp to take over at nickel back. Dee Alford and Mike Ford were the main competitors.
The group is looking a little too crowded for Clark Phillips III to make the roster. He was slowed by a rib injury. He could be headed to the practice squad.
Locks: A.J. Terrell, Mike Hughes, Brooks, Bowman, Ford
Bubble: Alford,
Long shots: Dontae Manning, Phillips, Keith Taylor, C.J. Henderson
Released or waived: Lamar Jackson, Bryant
Safeties (4)
Rookie Xavier Watts started getting comfortable late in training camp and is projected to be an opening-game starter alongside Jessie Bates III.
DeMarcco Hellams has made it back from a broken ankle and will provide some quality depth.
Locks: Bates, Watts, Hellams
Bubble: Jordan Fuller
Long shots: Henry Black
Released or waived: Josh Thompson
Specialists (3)
Younghoe Koo is projected to win the battle with Krieg to retain his position.
But the Falcons had to be impressed with Krieg’s big leg. He made a 57-yarder in the first exhibition game against the Lions.
Koo missed nine, five and five kicks over the past three seasons. He missed a 51-yard field goal (wide left) in the final exhibition game against the Cowboys.
Locks: Koo, Bradley Pinion and Liam McCullough
Long shot: Krieg
About the Author
Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.
