FLOWERY BRANCH – Outside linebacker Tyler Starr was promoted to the 53-man roster from the practice squad and the Falcons placed center James Stone on injured reserve on Friday.
Stone suffered a knee injury in practice on Wednesday and was previously declared out for Sunday’s game by Falcons coach Dan Quinn.
Starr, 6-5, 250 pounds, was selected by the Falcons in the seventh round (255th overall) of the 2014 NFL draft out of South Dakota.
In 2014, he was a member of the Falcons 53-man roster, but did not see any game action. He has spent the first 14 weeks of the 2015 season as a member of the Falcons practice squad.
“He’s had a big time year in terms of development,” Quinn said of Starr. “The strength, the speed, the football knowledge that goes along with it. He’s absolutely had the mindset.”
Quinn knows that grinding away from the spotlight on the practice squad can be tough on players.
“It’s really a difficult spot mentally when you are on the practice squad or like a backup player who’s inactive all year because you have to continue to get ready,” Quinn said. “We treat our practice squad just like they are part of our regular roster. (We have) the same demands, the same mindset so that when we do bring them up there really isn’t a you’ve got to play different now.”
Starr Was the Missouri Valley Conference defensive player of the year in 2013. He started 11 of 12 games and registered 71 tackles for 15 tackles for loss and nine sacks with four pass breakups, an interception and four forced fumbles.
“He’s absolutely one of the guys that has totally shined in this role,” Quinn said. “In terms of learning it, understanding, the knowledge and I’m very excited to where he’s headed.”
Stone, who finished last season as the starting center, was listed on the deep chart the second right guard behind Chris Chester.
Center/guard Gino Gradkowski and Ben Garland are the backup guards on the roster.
Stone has played in seven games this season with one start. He’s was active in three games and did not play and he’s been inactive for three other games.
Stone was originally signed by the Falcons as a undrafted free agent following the 2014 NFL draft out of Tennessee. He has played in a total of 19 games with 10 starts in his two seasons with the team.
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