The Falcons signed eight players, including six that were in training camp with them, to the practice squad on Sunday.
Linebacker Derek Akunne, tackle Pierce Burton, cornerback Akeem King, linebacker Stansly Maponga, nose tackle Joey Mbu and linebacker Tyler Starr were all released by the team.
King was a seventh-round draft pick by the Falcons in 2015.
Starr and Maponga were also drafted by the team. Starr was drafted in the seventh-round of the 2014 draft. Maponga was drafted in the fifth-round of the 2013 draft.
Both Starr and Maponga have spent time on the 53-man roster.
The Falcons also signed tight end Marcel Jensen and quarterback Matt Simms.
Jensen was originally signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted rookie free agent from Fresno State in 2014. He’s also spent some time with Denver.
Simms was originally signed by the New York Jets as an undrafted rookie free agent out of Tennessee after the 2012 draft. He spent the 2013 and 2014 seasons with the Jets before being claimed off of waivers by the Buffalo Bills. Simms has appeared in four career games, completing 19 of 39 pass attempts for 195 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
The Falcons are working to fill their two open spots.
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