Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons

Falcons sign guard, two fullbacks

DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 07: Offensive guard Hugh Thornton #69 of the Indianapolis Colts defends the line of scrimmage for quarterback Andrew Luck #12 of the Indianapolis Colts against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on September 7, 2014 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Colts 31-24. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Credit: Doug Pensinger

Credit: Doug Pensinger

DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 07: Offensive guard Hugh Thornton #69 of the Indianapolis Colts defends the line of scrimmage for quarterback Andrew Luck #12 of the Indianapolis Colts against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on September 7, 2014 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Colts 31-24. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
By
March 21, 2017

The Falcons signed guard Hugh Thornton, formerly of the Indianapolis Colts, and fullbacks Derrick Coleman and Soma Vainuku on Tuesday.

Thornton, 25, was a third-round pick (86th overall) out of Illinois in the 2013 draft. Thornton has started 32 games for the Colts. He missed last season with a foot injury.

The Falcons haven’t re-signed starting right guard Chris Chester, who’s contemplating retirement. Ben Garland and Wes Schweitzer were next up on the depth chart behind Chester.

The Falcons didn’t re-sign Patrick DiMarco in free agency and didn’t have any fullbacks on the roster.

Coleman was signed by Minnesota following the 2012 draft. He played in 31 games with seven starts for Seattle and has 11 career receptions for 91 yards with two receiving touchdowns. He also has 10 career rushing attempts for 35 yards.

Vainuku signed with Houston out of USC after the 2016 draft.

Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff is pleased with the leadership that Dan Quinn has provided the football team as they try to rebound from a difficult loss in the Super Bowl. Video by D. Orlando Ledbetter

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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.

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