ON THE FALCONS BEAT
ON THE FALCONS BEAT

Falcons sign Vellano, waive Olatoye

Atlanta Falcons' Joe Vellano walks on the field during a workout at the NFL football team's practice facility in Flowery Branch, Ga., Friday, Jan. 27, 2017. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

Credit: David Goldman

Credit: David Goldman

Atlanta Falcons' Joe Vellano walks on the field during a workout at the NFL football team's practice facility in Flowery Branch, Ga., Friday, Jan. 27, 2017. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
By
Sept 21, 2017

Defensive tackle Joe Vellano was signed from the practice squad and cornerback Deji Olatoye was waived by the Falcons on Thursday.

“Joe has done a good job,” Falcons coach Dan Quinn said. “I thought heading into training camp and when we got down to 53 he was one of the difficult spots for us. He’s really has been on his game. With Courtney (Upshaw) likely to miss this week, it was important to have another inside player.”

Vellano was originally signed by New England in 2013. He has been on the Colts and Patriots practice squads.

He was on the Falcons practice squad last season and was promoted near the end of the season. He played in the NFC championship game and Super Bowl LI.

Olatoye played in five games last season for the Falcons and the first two games of this season.

About the Author

Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.

Follow D. Orlando Ledbetter on facebookFollow D. Orlando Ledbetter on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

Quarterback Easton Stick, formerly of the Chargers, signed with the Falcons on April 21. He guided the team for most of the exhibition season. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Easton Stick is one play away from Falcons’ QB throne

Kirk Cousins will start when the Falcons play the Saints on Sunday. If something happens to Cousins, Easton Stick would be the proverbial “next man up.”

OPINION

Weekend Predictions: Falcons, Saints to decide which team is worse

Plus, will Georgia Tech beat Pitt and insufferable coach Pat Narduzzi, and can Georgia cover a spread of more than 40 points vs. Charlotte?

Dirty Birds Dispatch: Can Kirk Cousins save the season?

With the season-ending injury to Michael Penix Jr., Kirk Cousins is back in control. Can he save the season?

The Latest

Quarterback Easton Stick, formerly of the Chargers, signed with the Falcons on April 21. He guided the team for most of the exhibition season. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Easton Stick is one play away from Falcons’ QB throne

Cousins or what? A look at the Falcons’ QB options for 2026.

Dirty Birds Dispatch: Can Kirk Cousins save the season?

Featured

Amber Hicks and Cherokee County firefighter Justin Hicks were found dead from gunshot wounds inside their home in November 2021. (Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services)

Credit: Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services

Man convicted of murdering Cherokee firefighter, wife as they watched TV

The deaths of Amber and Justin Hicks shocked their family and community. On Thursday, Matthew Lanz was convicted on all 13 charges he faced.

Report: Georgia unauthorized immigrant population reaches nearly 500,000

Georgia now has the nation’s sixth largest population of unauthorized immigrants, according to the Migration Policy Institute.

Atlanta airport’s troubled Concourse C food court gets new management

OHM Concession Group will take over the Atlanta airport's Concourse C food court, as well as restaurants in Concourses B and F.