With two key injuries to linebackers, the Falcons signed linebacker O’Brien Schofield on Thursday.
Starting linebacker De’Vondre Campbell is recovering from an undisclosed ankle injury, while reserve linebacker Paul Worrilow is reportedly set to have groin surgery today and likely to miss three to four weeks.
The make room for Schofield, the Falcons waived third-string running back Terron Ward.
The Falcons had discussed signing Schofield over the offseason, but the two sides couldn’t reach a deal. Schofield also had interest from the Patriots and the Jets.
“The respect that I have for him is big-time,” Falcons coach Dan Quinn said.
After playing for Quinn in Seattle, Schofield signed a one-year $1.75 million deal last March with the Falcons.
He made 11 starts and played in all 16 games. He played 500 of the team’s defensive snaps (47.6 percent) and finished with 28 tackles, two sacks and one forced fumble.
With Worrilow and likely Campbell out of this week’s game against the Saints, Schofield, 29, is expected to be active.
Ward made the team as an undrafted free agent from Oregon State last season.
Ward had 29 carries for 95 yards and one touchdown in 2015 as he backed up Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman.
He beat Gus Johnson and Brandon Wilds to retain his roster spot, but was inactive for the first two games of the season after recovering from an ankle injury.
