Falcons add Keith Smith, Jamal Carter to reserve/COVID-19 list

Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn speaks with running back Keith Smith (40) before the start of final home game Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019, against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Credit: Alyssa Pointer

Credit: Alyssa Pointer

Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn speaks with running back Keith Smith (40) before the start of final home game Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019, against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Falcons fullback Keith Smith and reserve safety Jamal Carter were added to the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday.

Rookie fourth-round pick Jaylinn Hawkins was placed on the list Tuesday.

The Falcons are not permitted to comment on a player’s medical status other than to refer to roster status. Clubs may not disclose whether the player is in quarantine or tested positive for COVID-19.

Smith appeared in all 16 games in 2019, his first season with the Falcons, and led the team with eight special-teams tackles and two special-teams forced fumbles.

In his first season with the Falcons, Carter saw action in 11 games, with nine tackles (five solo) and one special-teams tackle in 2019.

The Falcons veterans report Tuesday and must have two negative tests before being allowed to enter the facilities.

Smith re-signed with the Falcons on a three-year contract in March.

Smith, a six-year pro, first signed with the Falcons on Sept. 2, 2019. The deal is potentially worth $5.5 million with an $1.2 million escalator clause.  A total of $1.95 million of the deal is guaranteed with $1.1 million signing bonus.

Smith, who played at San Jose State, was signed by the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent linebacker in 2014.

At the end of the 2015 season, he converted to a fullback based on his work with the scout team.

He earned the starting position for the Cowboys for the 2016 and 2017 seasons.

Smith signed with the Raiders on March 15, 2018 as a restricted free agent. In four seasons as a fullback, Smith has rushed eight times for 13 yards and caught 14 receptions for 82 yards.

Last season Carter joined the Falcons’ practice squad after spending the exhibition season with the Denver Broncos and recording five tackles. Carter signed with the Broncos as an undrafted free agent out of Miami in 2017; he recorded 11 tackles while being active for all 16 games in his first season.

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