Falcons Restructure Deion Jones’ Deal
For the second time this year, the Falcons turned to Deion Jones‘ contract to create cap space. Atlanta completed its latest Jones restructure Thursday, per Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter).
This latest adjustment will give the Falcons an additional $2.8MM in cap space. The Falcons’ March Jones restructure generated an extra $4MM in room. Atlanta entered Thursday barely $500K under the cap, slotting in above only the Rams for space.
The Falcons have Jones locked up through 2023 on a four-year, $57MM extension — one authorized by their previous regime. The new Atlanta front office has gone to the restructure well a few times this year. Matt Ryan‘s fourth restructure — a move new GM Terry Fontenot was initially against — headlined this batch of reworkings. Atlanta created more cap space in June by dealing future Hall of Famer Julio Jones to Tennessee.
Prior to Thursday’s restructure, Jones’ cap numbers were set to balloon after this season. The standout linebacker was set to count $18.6MM against Atlanta’s 2022 cap and comprise $17.1MM of the Falcons’ cap in 2023. His 2021 cap hit checks in below the $10MM mark. Thursday’s move will push more money onto future Falcons caps.
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/9/21
Here are Thursday’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Released from IR via injury settlement: CB Darqueze Dennard (story)
Atlanta Falcons
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: TE Parker Hesse
Baltimore Ravens
- Reverted to IR: RB Justice Hill (story)
Dallas Cowboys
- Promoted from practice squad: TE Jeremy Sprinkle, S Darian Thompson
New York Giants
- Released from IR via injury settlement: OL Ted Larsen
Philadelphia Eagles
- Released from IR via injury settlement: DB Blake Countess
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Promoted from practice squad: S Andrew Adams, WR Jaydon Mickens
Tennessee Titans
- Waived: OL Cole Banwart
Falcons Place CB Kendall Sheffield On IR
Kendall Sheffield is heading to the IR. The Falcons placed the cornerback on injured reserve today, according to Aaron Wilson (via Twitter).
Sheffield was a fourth-round pick by Atlanta in 2019, and he proceeded to start 20 of his 29 games through his first two seasons in the NFL. That included a 2020 campaign where the defensive back compiled 51 tackles, one forced fumble, and three passes defended in 13 games (nine starts).
The 25-year-old had been dealing with an undisclosed injury for weeks, and he finished the preseason without getting a snap. Now, he’ll be sidelined for at least the next three weeks, but it’s uncertain if he’ll have his starting gig when he returns. AJ Terrell, Fabian Moreau, and Isaiah Oliver are currently expected to lead the depth chart at cornerback.
With Sheffield sidelined, Chris Williamson could be an option to get promoted from the practice squad.
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/8/21
We’ve compiled today’s minor NFL transactions below:
Atlanta Falcons
- Released from IR with injury settlement: P Dom Maggio
Buffalo Bills
- Released from IR with injury settlement: DT Treyvon Hester
Los Angeles Chargers
- Released from IR with injury settlement: LS Cole Mazza
Tennessee Titans
- Activated from Reserve/COVID-19 list: G Nate Davis, C Ben Jones
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/7/21
We’ve compiled today’s practice squad moves below:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: RB Qadree Ollison
- Released: C Sam Jones
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: CB John Brannon
Chicago Bears
- Signed: LB Josh Woods
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed: QB Jake Browning
- Released: P Drue Chrisman
Denver Broncos
- Signed: CB Saivion Smith
Houston Texans
- Signed: CB Cre’Von LeBlanc
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: OT Bobby Hart
New York Giants
- Signed: WR C.J. Board, OT Korey Cunningham
- Released: DB Jordyn Peters, G Kenny Wiggins
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: DE Henry Mondeaux, LB Delontae Scott, WR Tyler Vaughns
- Moved to IR: WR Rico Bussey
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: CB Gavin Heslop
- Released: TE Mark Vital
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: K Jose Borregales
Washington Football Team
- Signed: OT Evin Ksiezarczyk
- Released: C Jon Toth
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/3/21
Here are Friday’s practice squad moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: WR Keelan Doss, LB James Vaughters
- Released: RB D’Onta Foreman
Houston Texans
- Signed: WR Jalen Camp, CB Antonio Phillips
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: TE Tyler Davis, CB Marvell Tell
- Released: LB Curtis Bolton, WR Tyler Vaughns
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: DL Cortez Broughton, CB Shakur Brown, LB Christian Rozeboom
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: LB Marquel Lee
- Released: LB Max Richardson
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: S Antoine Brooks, RB Buddy Howell
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: LB Milo Eifler, CB Jamal Perry
- Released: RB Jordan Scarlett
New York Giants
- Signed: TE Ryan Izzo
- Released: G Jake Burton, TE Nakia Griffin-Stewart, OL Brett Heggie, WR Damion Willis
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: TE Tanner Hudson, LB Rashad Smith, CB Dee Virgin, WR Isaiah Zuber
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: G Phil Haynes
Washington Football Team
- Signed: K Eddy Pineiro
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/2/21
Here are Thursday’s minor moves, with the list being updated throughout the day:
Arizona Cardinals
- Released from IR with injury settlement: DL Jamell Garcia-Williams
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: LS Josh Harris
- Claimed (from Browns): OL Colby Gossett
Carolina Panthers
- Placed on IR: WR Aaron Parker
Cincinnati Bengals
- Re-signed: WR Mike Thomas
- Placed on IR: DE Khalid Kareem
Houston Texans
- Placed on IR: S A.J. Moore
Indianapolis Colts
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: C Ryan Kelly, WR Zach Pascal, QB Carson Wentz
- Placed on IR: QB Sam Ehlinger (story), WR Dezmon Patmon
- Released from IR with injury settlement: TE Noah Togiai
Las Vegas Raiders
- Released from IR with injury settlement: LB Asmar Bial
Los Angeles Chargers
- Released from IR with injury settlement: DT Chris Okoye, OL Tyree St. Louis
Los Angeles Rams
- Placed on IR: OL Tremayne Anchrum, LB Obo Okoronkwo
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: LB Chris Garrett
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: P Johnny Hekker
New England Patriots
- Released from IR with injury settlement: OL Marcus Martin
New York Giants
- Released from IR with injury settlement: WR Alex Bachman, DB Montre Hartage, TE Cole Hikutini
Philadelphia Eagles
- Claimed: CB Andre Chachere (from Chargers)
- Signed: DT Hassan Ridgeway
- Placed on IR: OL Jack Driscoll, TE Tyree Jackson, CB Josiah Scott
San Francisco 49ers
- Released from IR with injury settlement: LB Mychal Kendricks
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: K Ryan Succop
- Placed on IR: G John Molchon
- Released from IR with injury settlement: RB Troymaine Pope
Tennessee Titans
- Released from IR with injury settlement: RB Brian Hill
Washington Football Team
- Released from IR with injury settlement: OT Rick Leonard
Falcons Sign RB Wayne Gallman
The Falcons are swapping one running back for another. The team announced that they’ve signed Wayne Gallman and released Qadree Ollison.
Gallman joined the 49ers back in April but earned his walking papers earlier this week. The 26-year-old had a career season in 2020 filling in for Saquon Barkley, finishing with 796 yards from scrimmage and six touchdowns. In his previous 38 games for the Giants, Gallman collected 1,146 yards and five touchdowns, and he’ll continue to profile as more of a backup.
In Atlanta, he’ll provide some depth behind Mike Davis and Cordarrelle Patterson. The team is also rostering Caleb Huntley and D’Onta Foreman on their practice squad.
Ollison was a fifth-round pick by the Falcons in 2019. After getting 23 touches in eight games as a rookie, the running back was limited to only three games and one carry in 2020. Ollison also saw time on special teams during his stint in Atlanta.
Wednesday NFL Transactions: NFC South
Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline Tuesday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters. In addition to waiver claims, teams can begin constructing their 16-man practice squads today. These moves for the Buccaneers, Falcons, Panthers and Saints are noted below.
Here are Wednesday’s NFC South transactions, which will continue to be updated throughout the day.
Atlanta Falcons
Claimed:
- G Colby Gossett (from Browns)
Signed to practice squad:
- OL Willie Beavers, LB Quinton Bell, LB Emmanuel Ellerbee, RB D’Onta Foreman, WR Juwan Green, RB Caleb Huntley, S Dwayne Johnson, OL Sam Jones, OL Ryan Neuzil, LB George Obinna, TE John Raine, DL Chris Slayton, WR Austin Trammell, TE David Wells, CB Chris Williamson
Carolina Panthers
Release from IR:
Signed to practice squad:
- WR Omar Bayless, RB Spencer Brown, DL Frank Herron, CB Jalen Julius, WR Keith Kirkwood, CB Rashaan Melvin, OL Aaron Monteiro, QB James Morgan, S Kenny Robinson, WR C.J. Saunders, RB Rodney Smith, TE Stephen Sullivan, OL Sam Tecklenburg
New Orleans Saints
Released:
- K Aldrick Rosas; Rosas is expected to re-sign later this week, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets
Claimed:
- RB Adam Prentice (from Broncos)
Signed to practice squad:
- FB Alex Armah, WR Kawaan Baker, OT Caleb Benenoch, DT Josiah Bronson, DT Albert Huggins, LB Wynton McManis, DB Bryan Mills, DB KeiVarae Russell, WR Kevin White, WR Easop Winston, TE Ethan Wolf
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Signed to practice squad:
- S Andrew Adams, WR Cyril Grayson, QB Ryan Griffin, WR Travis Jonsen, TE Codey McElroy, WR Jaydon Mickens, CB Herb Miller, DL Benning Potoa’e, DL Kobe Smith, RB Darwin Thompson, OL Brandon Walton, TE Deon Yelder
Falcons To Place G Josh Andrews On IR
The Falcons will make an adjustment to their preferred starting lineup come Week 1. The team had planned to use Josh Andrews as one of its starting guards, but a recent injury will force the team to change course.
Andrews suffered a broken hand during practice Tuesday, and Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets the Falcons will place him on IR to start the season. While this surgery is not expected to sideline Andrews too long, he must sit until at least Week 4.
Atlanta added Andrews in late March, signing the former Eagles, Colts and Jets blocker to a one-year deal worth the veteran minimum. Andrews and Chris Lindstrom were expected to be the Falcons’ Week 1 guard starters. Andrews, 30, has started just four career games — all coming with the Jets last season.