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Atlanta Falcons News & Rumors

Falcons Sign LB Sean Weatherspoon

October 24th, 2017 at 9:58am CST by Zachary Links

The Falcons are reuniting with linebacker Sean Weatherspoon, a source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Weatherspoon will help fill in at linebacker now that rookie Duke Riley is set to undergo knee surgery. Sean Weatherspoon (vertical)

Weatherspoon, 29, was a first-round pick of the Falcons in 2010. Unfortunately, his career has been marred by injuries in recent years. In the last four years, he has made only 25 appearances – he missed the bulk of last season, rouhgly half of 2013, and the entire 2014 campaign.

In 2011, his only full season, he showed what he is capable of as he racked up 125 tackles and four sacks. If his knee and foot problems are behind him, he could perhaps be a quality contributor once again. The Falcons probably aren’t expecting that kind of stat line, but he could perhaps help the Falcons pivot out of their current three-game rut.

Assuming he dresses, Weatherspoon’s first game of 2017 will be a road contest against the scrappy Jets.

Falcons To Sign DL Ahtyba Rubin

October 19th, 2017 at 11:29am CST by Zachary Links

The Falcons have signed defensive lineman Ahtyba Rubin, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Rubin became a free agent on Tuesday when he was released by Denver. Ahtyba Rubin

Rubin was set to enter the final year of a three-year, $12MM deal with the Seahawks this year. Instead, he was cut in early September. The Broncos signed him later on that month, but he was cut loose after dressing just twice.

In his first Seahawks season (2015), Rubin amassed 36 tackles, two sacks, and finished fourth among the team’s defensive linemen in snaps. Last year, he once again had a perfect attendance record in the regular season as he racked up 39 tackles, one sack, and three forced fumbles. However, he wasn’t quite living up to the standards of his deal in Seattle.

With the Falcons, Rubin will help provide depth in the wake of injuries to starting defensive end Courtney Upshaw and reserve defensive tackle Jack Crawford. Upshaw did return to practice this week, so there is hope for him to play on Sunday against the Patriots. Crawford, however, is on IR.

LB LaRoy Reynolds Returns To Practice

October 18th, 2017 at 9:51pm CST by GregGoldstein

Patriots LB Shea McClellin headlines the list of IR-DTD players who started practicing this week, which comes courtesy of Ben Volin of the Boston Globe (Twitter Link). McClellin has been recovering from an undisclosed injury he suffered during training camp. It’s an encouraging development for Bill Belichick as the Pats are heavily in need of capable pass rushers. The three other players who returned to practice were Chargers LB Denzel Perryman, Ravens CB Maurice Canady and Falcons LB LaRoy Reynolds.

  • In other league news, Roger Goodell‘s new contract, which was reportedly hung up over his prospective severance package, is now back on track to being completed sooner than later, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). Rapoport relays a quote from Falcons owner Arthur Blank that states: “Making good progress. Shouldn’t be too long.” We don’t know exactly why the talks are in a better place, but with this news, it seems that the major hurdles are now in the rearview mirror.

NFL Workout Updates: 10/18/17

October 18th, 2017 at 8:06pm CST by GregGoldstein

Today’s workout updates, with all links going to veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer’s Twitter:

Atlanta Falcons

  • DE Ricky Ali’ifua; TE Anthony Firkser; DT Nigel Williams, FB Malcolm Johnson; LB Kevin Snyder (link)

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

  • CB Josh Thornton; RB Marquez Williams (link)

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Los Angeles Chargers

  • S Malik Smith (link)

New Orleans Saints

New York Jets

  • T Storm Norton (link)

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/17/17

October 17th, 2017 at 7:47pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Today’s practice squad updates:

Atlanta Falcons

Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers

Denver Broncos

Green Bay Packers

Indianapolis Colts

Washington Redskins

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/16/17

October 16th, 2017 at 5:53pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Today’s practice squad updates:

Arizona Cardinals

  • Signed: DL Peli Anau

Atlanta Falcons

Chicago Bears

Cincinnati Bengals

Jacksonville Jaguars

  • Signed: DB Charlie Miller

Los Angeles Chargers

  • Released: LeShun Daniels

New York Jets

Pittsburgh Steelers

Seattle Seahawks

Washington Redskins

Falcons Waive RB Brian Hill

October 14th, 2017 at 11:33am CST by Ben Levine

With receiver Mohamed Sanu set to miss tomorrow’s matchup against the Dolphins, the Falcons have made a roster change. ESPN’s Vaughn McClure reports that the team has promoted wideout Marvin Hall from the practice squad. To make room on the roster, the team notably waived running back Brian Hill, who was a fifth-round pick in this past year’s draft.

Hill had a standout career during his time at Wyoming, especially during the 2016 campaign. He ultimately compiled 1,860 yards and 22 touchdowns on 349 carries, earning him a spot on the All-Mountain West’s first team. The running back garnered interest from multiple teams during the draft process, and he was ultimately selected in the fifth round by the Falcons. It was initially thought that the rookie could serve as a “power back” alternative to Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman.

However, the 21-year-old struggled during the preseason, compiling only 41 rushing yards on 26 carries (1.6-yard average). He made a brief appearance during his team’s Week 4 loss to the Bills, but he’s yet to compile a single carry. Following his release, former undrafted rookie Terron Ward will presumably slide up to the team’s third running back spot.

Hall, 24, has bounced around the league since going undrafted out of Washington in 2016. Besides the Falcons, he’s had brief stints with the Raiders and Cardinals, but he’s yet to see the field for a regular season game. He’ll presumably slide beneath Andre Roberts and Nick Williams on the team’s wide receiver depth chart.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/11/17

October 11th, 2017 at 6:51pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Today’s practice squad updates:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

  • Signed: K Mike Meyer, DL Jonathan Woodard
  • Placed on injured list: TE Joshua Perkins

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

Kansas City Chiefs

San Francisco 49ers

Minor NFL Transactions: 10/10/17

October 10th, 2017 at 6:39pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Today’s minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Cleveland Browns

Houston Texans

Jacksonville Jaguars

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

  • Promoted to active roster: WR Ed Eagan

Oakland Raiders

San Francisco 49ers

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