FLOWERY BRANCH – The Falcons signed kicker Shayne Graham and released linebacker Joplo Bartu on Thursday.
Kicker Matt Bryant, who has struggled at times this season, was placed on the injury report with a quadriceps injury Wednesday. He did not practice on Thursday as the Falcons (6-4) are set to face Minnesota (7-3) at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Georgia Dome.
Bryant, who missed 46-yard field goal attempt in the 24-21 loss to the Colts on Sunday, strained his quadricep in practice on Wednesday.
He has missed 4 of 18 field goal attempts this season. Three of them were in the 40 to 49 yards range. He’s missed one under 40 yards.
At age 40, Bryant is one of the oldest players in the league.
Graham, who's 6-foot, 197 pounds, has kicked mostly for the Saints and the Bengals. He's spent time with eight other teams. The Falcons will be his 11th team. Graham has made 266 of 311 (85.5 percent) field goals over his career.
Graham, who played in college at Virginia Tech, has made 14 of 29 (48.2 percent) of his field goals of more than 50 yards. He’s made 67 of 85 (78.8 percent) of his field goal between 40 and 49 yards.
Graham has been to one Pro Bowl, back in 2005 when he was with the Bengals.
Bartu made the Falcons as an undrafted rookie out of Texas State in 2013. The Falcons tried to revamp their linebacker corps with smaller and faster linebackers.
Bartu started 28 of 38 games, including 13 as a rookie and 14 last season. He played in six games and made one start this season. He made 192 tackles (111 solo), 4.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and two pass breakups.
Bartu fell out of favor with the new coaching staff and was essentially replaced when they signed veteran linebacker Philip Wheeler on Oct. 20. Wheeler, who played at Georgia Tech, ascended the depth chart. Bartu was inactive for two games this season.
Cornerback Robert Alford (groin), left guard Andy Levitre (knee) and free safety Robenson Thereize (hamstring) were all limited in practice.
Running back Devonta Freeman (concussion) and wide receiver Leonard Hankerson (hamstring) did not practice.
Falcons coach Dan Quinn said he proceeding with preparations for the Vikings as if Freeman, the fifth leading rusher in the league, would not be available.
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