Tag: Falcons roster moves

Report: Falcons to release CB Desmond Trufant

As reported by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Falcons are planning to release starting cornerback Desmond Trufant

With the NFL’s new league year beginning this week, it seems the Atlanta Falcons are getting ready to retool their roster in order to free up cap space.

As reported by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Falcons are planning to release starting cornerback Desmond Trufant:

Trufant, who finished the season on injured reserve, has a $15.1 million cap hit in 2020, but the team could save nearly $5 million by releasing him, according to Over The Cap.

Atlanta desperately needs space after re-signing DT Tyeler Davison to a three-year extension on Sunday. The Falcons’ secondary struggled last season and without Trufant — who has served as Atlanta’s No. 1 corner for the past few years — it becomes a big potential need.

A first-round pick back in 2013, Trufant has recorded 13 career interceptions in seven seasons with the team.

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Falcons sign OL John Wetzel to one-year deal

The Falcons signed veteran offensive lineman John Wetzel to a one-year contract on Wednesday.

The Falcons signed veteran offensive lineman John Wetzel to a one-year contract on Wednesday:

Wetzel served as a reserve for Atlanta in 2019, appearing in two games and has played both guard and tackle spots. At just 28 years old, he’s a good insurance policy that has the versatility to back up multiple positions.

As ESPN’s Vaughn McClure points out below, though, the Falcons have been signing and releasing Wetzel like it’s going out of style:

Wetzel’s transaction history shows the reality of how tough it is to make it in the NFL when you’re not a early-round pick.

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Falcons add punter Sam Irwin-Hill

The Atlanta Falcons couldn’t seem to find a punter capable of staying healthy in 2019. On Friday, the team signed free agent Sam Irwin-Hill to its 90-man roster.

The Atlanta Falcons couldn’t seem to find a punter capable of staying healthy in 2019. On Friday, the team signed free agent Sam Irwin-Hill to its 90-man roster.

After signing Irwin-Hill to the practice squad last season, the Falcons appear to be giving him a shot at competing for the starting job in 2020. Veteran punter Matt Bosher, who finished the season on injured reserve with a groin injury, is a pending free agent.

With Atlanta moving on from kicker Matt Bryant last season, it seems like a strong possibility the team will do the same with Bosher this offseason.

Irwin-Hill, a 29-year-old undrafted free agent out of Arkansas, punted 15 times in the preseason for an average of 38.3 yards per punt in 2017.

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