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

Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris (left) and New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore shake hands after an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025, in New Orleans. (Gerald Herbert/AP)

Credit: AP

5 things we learned from the Falcons’ win over the Saints

The Falcons stopped the bleeding from a five-game losing streak Sunday with their 24-10 victory over the rebuilding Saints.

Falcons throttle Saints 24-10 to snap five-game losing streak

The Falcons snapped a five-game losing streak with a resounding 24-10 road victory over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.

Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins isn’t finished after all

The Latest

Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris (left) and New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore shake hands after an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025, in New Orleans. (Gerald Herbert/AP)

Credit: AP

5 things we learned from the Falcons’ win over the Saints

Falcons wrap: Here’s all the coverage from the Week 12 win over the Saints

What Kirk Cousins’ had to say after the Falcons’ 24-10 win over the Saints

Featured

Cooling towers for Units 4 and 3 are seen at Plant Vogtle, operated by Georgia Power Co., in east Georgia's Burke County near Waynesboro, on Wednesday, May 29, 2024. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC

Analysts warn Georgia Power bills will rise if PSC approves data center buildout

Analysts are warning Georgia Power's residential customers could see monthly bills jump $20 or more if state regulators approve the company's planned data center expansion.

GHSA suspends 39 Gainesville football players for brawl that ended playoff game

The Gainesville-Brunswick game was discontinued with 1:57 left in the third quarter when the fight began. Gainesville was leading 42-0.

Here’s when metro Atlanta interstates will be busiest this holiday week

Experts say more than 2 million Peach State residents will travel by car for Thanksgiving.