FLOWERY BRANCH — Quarterback Taylor Heinicke, who had a subpar exhibition season, made the Falcons’ initial 53-man roster.
The Falcons had to cut roster limit by 4 p.m. Tuesday. The Falcons now have another week to make sure their contracts fit under the NFL salary cap. They also can add 16 players to the practice squad.
The Falcons started their cuts by releasing 13 players Sunday, including quarterback John Paddock and linebacker Donavan Mutin, who was the team’s leading tackler in the exhibition games, with 28.
The Falcons made the rest of their cuts and placed safety DeMarcco Hellams on the short-term injured reserve.
Linebacker Milo Eifler and defensive back Josh Thompson were waived injured.
The Falcons released offensive linemen Julien Davenport, Andrew Stueber and Barry Wesley, wide receivers Chris Blair, Dylan Drummond, O.J. Hiliare and Jesse Matthews, running backs Spencer Brown and Carlos Washington Jr., tight end John FitzPatrick, defensive tackles Prince Emili, Zion Logue, LaCale London and Tommy Togiai, outside linebacker Demone Harris, cornerbacks Natrone Brooks, Anthony Johnson, Kevin King and Jayden Price and safeties Dane Cruikshank and Tre Tarpley III.
The Falcon also released defensive lineman Kenny Oginni, a player from Abuja, Nigeria, for whom they had an international exemption.
The biggest question for the Falcons was Heinicke, a former Collins Hill standout who had a poor exhibition season. He completed 20 of 44 passes (45.5%) for 206 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions. He finished with a passer rating of 59.5.
However, the Falcons wanted to keep the veteran around with starting quarterback Kirk Cousins coming off a ruptured Achilles and rookie Michael Penix Jr. having played only 24 snaps in the exhibition games.
“It’s one of those stressful times,” Heinicke said. “It’s really the worst time of the NFL for all these guys, just kind of not knowing where you’re going to be. For me personally, I did everything I could throughout OTAs and training camp.”
Heinicke, who was a part-time starter last season, likely will serve as the emergency third quarterback. Penix was outstanding in his brief showing against the Dolphins in the first exhibition game.
“When I got the reps, I tried to go in there and make the most of it,” Heinicke said. “When I wasn’t in, I was trying to help Kirk and Mike in any way I could. I would love to be a part of the Falcons.”
Also, the NFLPA rejected a proposal that would allow teams to promote the third quarterback from the practice squad weekly. Under the old rule, which will remain in place, the third quarterback must be on the 53-man roster. Last season, Logan Woodside served as the third quarterback behind Desmond Ridder and Heinicke.
Heinicke, 31, who starred at Old Dominion, and has played for four teams in the NFL. He has a 13-15-1 record as a starter and has played in 38 games overall. He’s a career 62.5% passer and has thrown 39 touchdown passes to 28 interceptions.
Also, Rams linebacker Ernest Jones, who led the team with 145 tackles last season, has been given permission to seek a trade. He was a key member for Falcons coach Raheem Morris’ defense last season. Perhaps, like Matthew Judon, he’d come to the Falcons and worry about the contract extension later.
In addition to the quarterback issue, the Falcons elected to carry four running back. Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier were locks. Jase McClelland beat out Brown and Washington. Returner Avery Williams apparently was safe.
Here’s a look at each position group and the players’ chances of making the final roster (the number beside each position listing is the number on the Falcons’ final 53-man roster last season):
Quarterbacks (3) – The big decision was to keep Heinicke.
Cousins, Penix and Heinicke.
Running backs (4)
Robinson Allgeier, McClelland and Williams.
Wide receivers (5) – Blair was the star of the exhibition games. Casey Washington, a sixth-round pick, showed flashes.
Drake London, Darnell Mooney, Ray-Ray McCloud, KhaDarel Hodge and Washington.
Tight ends (3) – With the Falcons set to run mostly 11 personnel (one running back, one tight end and three wide receivers), they can get away with only three tight ends.
Ross Dwelley beat out FitzPatrick for the final spot.
Kyle Pitts, Charlie Woerner and Dwelley.
Offensive line (9) – Jake Matthews, Matthew Bergeron, Drew Dalman, Chris Lindstrom, Kaleb McGary, Storm Norton, Ryan Neuzil, Jovaughn Gwyn and Kyle Hinton.
DEFENSE
Defensive line (8) – Grady Jarrett, David Onyemata, Zach Harrison, Eddie Goldman, Ta’Quon Graham, Ruke Orhorhoro and Brandon Dorlus.
Outside linebackers (5) – Judon, Lorenzo Carter, Arnold Ebiketie, James Smith-Williams and DeAngelo Malone.
Inside linebackers (4) – Kaden Elliss, Nate Landman, Troy Andersen and JD Bertrand.
Cornerbacks (5) – A.J. Terrell, Mike Hughes, Clark Phillips III, Dee Alford and Antonio Hamilton Sr.
Safeties (4) – Justin Simmons, Jessie Bates III, Micah Abernathy, Richie Grant.
SPECIAL TEAMS – Kicker Younghoe Koo, punter Bradley Pinion and long snapper Liam McCullough.
