Minor NFL Transactions: 1/1/21
Here are the minor moves from New Year’s Day:
Baltimore Ravens
- Waived: DB Terrell Bonds
Buffalo Bills
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: WR John Brown
Dallas Cowboys
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DT Justin Hamilton, S Darian Thompson; Thompson tested positive for the coronavirus, according to Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News
Las Vegas Raiders
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: S Erik Harris
Los Angeles Chargers
- Placed on IR: CB Casey Hayward, LB Malik Jefferson
- Promoted: LB Cole Christiansen, DE Joe Gaziano, TE Matt Sokol, S Jaylen Watkins
New England Patriots
- Promoted: CB Dee Virgin
Philadelphia Eagles
- Promoted: TE Jason Croom, LB Rashad Smith
- Placed on IR: LB Shaun Bradley, LB Duke Riley
San Francisco 49ers
- Placed on IR: T Trent Williams, DL Jordan Willis; Williams suffered an elbow injury that was set to keep him out of Week 17
- Promoted: DE Alex Barrett
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed off Patriots’ practice squad: LB Jack Cichy
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DT Steve McLendon
Falcons LB Duke Riley To Undergo Surgery
Falcons linebacker Duke Riley will require surgery after suffering a torn meniscus, according to Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com. While Atlanta hasn’t announced a timetable for Riley’s return, meniscus injuries typically require a four-week absence, per McClure.
Riley, whom the Falcons selected in the third round of the 2017 draft, has appeared in every game for Atlanta during his rookie campaign. He’s only been a base package player, though, garnering time on roughly 45% of the Falcons’ defensive snaps while playing on a quarter of the club’s special teams plays. Pro Football Focus hasn’t been a fan of Riley’s output, grading the LSU product as a bottom-15 linebacker.
Still, replacing a player who is essentially a starter is never easy, but the Falcons already started on that task earlier today. Atlanta agreed to bring back linebacker Sean Weatherspoon, who spent 2010-15 with the Falcons. It’s unclear if Atlanta expects Weatherspoon to step directly into Riley’s role, or whether they’ll lean on other players — such as Jordan Tripp or (per McClure) converted safety Kemal Ishmael — to replace Riley. The Falcons are also set to bring linebacker LaRoy Reynolds off injured reserve in the next few weeks.
Falcons Sign Takkarist McKinley
The Falcons have now signed their entire 2017 draft class. First round defensive end Takkarist McKinley, third round linebacker Duke Riley, fifth round running back Brian Hill, and fifth round tight end Eric Saubert are all under contract, the team announced. 
The Falcons traded up to the Seahawks’ No. 26 pick during the first round in order to select McKinley, a former star at UCLA. McKinley went viral for his outpouring of emotions on the stage, but the Falcons believe that he’ll be known more for his play on the field before long. The 6’2″, 250 pound athlete has been widely praised for his high motor and his big wingspan should allow him to fend off blockers at the next level. In his senior year at UCLA, McKinley racked up 61 total tackles, 18 tackles for a loss, and ten sacks – all career highs.
Here’s the complete rundown of the Falcons’ draft class:
- 1-25: Takkarist McKinley, DE (UCLA)
- 3-75: Duke Riley, LB (LSU)
- 4-136: Sean Harlow, OL (Oregon State)
- 5-149: Damontae Kazee, CB (San Diego State)
- 5-156: Brian Hill, RB (Wyoming)
- 5-174: Eric Saubert, TE (Drake)