The Falcons agreed to terms on a one-year contract with safety/linebacker Kemal Ishmael on Wednesday.

Ishmael, 25, who broke into the NFL as a safety, played mostly at linebacker last season.

He played in all 16 games last season and recorded 22 tackles, a sack and one pass breakup. He played 114 snaps on defense (10.8 percent) and 336 snaps on special teams.

Ishmael, who played at Central Florida, was selected in the seventh round (243rd overall) of the 2013 draft. He has played in 65 games, including 20 starts.

He was allowed to reach free agency, but elected to return to the Falcons.

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Atlanta Falcons linebacker James Pearce Jr. returned to practice Thursday after suffering a groin injury. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

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Julian Conley listens during opening statements in his trial at Fulton County Superior Court in Atlanta on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. The 25-year-old is accused of fatally shooting 8-year-old Secoriea Turner in July 2020. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Credit: abbey.cutrer@ajc.com