Falcons waive safety Jaylinn Hawkins; Micah Abernathy added to roster
FLOWERY BRANCH — The Falcons waived safety Jaylinn Hawkins, a former starter, Tuesday, according to the NFL’s transactions list.
“I’m very appreciative of everything Jalen did,” Falcons coach Arthur Smith said on Wednesday. “Jalen played some good football for us. Loved working with him. Wish him the best in the future. Sometimes situations change. I’ve got a lot of respect for Hawk.”
Hawkins didn’t stay unemployed long. Several teams submitted waiver claims, and he was awarded to the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Falcons signed safety Micah Abernathy from their practice squad Wednesday.
“It’s an opportunity for Micah,” Smith said.
Hawkins was taken in the fourth round of the 2020 draft by former general manager Thomas Dimitroff. Hawkins played in 48 games and made 22 starts.
He started 16 games last season, but lost his job after the Falcons signed Jessie Bates III to a four-year, $64.02 million contract in free agency.
Earlier in the season, the Falcons used Hawkins in a dime package, but Sunday against the Commanders, rookie DeMarcco Hellams played that role. Also, Abernathy played 18 snaps on special teams against the Commanders after practice squad promotion.
“Jaylinn is one of the good guys in this league,” Smith said. “I can’t say enough good things about him. Circumstances change. So, there are opportunities for other guys.”
Hawkins played 29 defensive snaps (8%) this season. He played 955 defensive snaps (92%) last season.
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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.
