Tag: “News”

Falcons DT Vincent Taylor ruptures Achilles in non-contact injury

Falcons DT Vincent Taylor ruptured his Achilles on Tuesday, head coach Arthur Smith revealed after practice.

The Atlanta Falcons suffered their first major training camp injury on Tuesday when defensive tackle Vincent Taylor ruptured his Achilles, head coach Arthur Smith revealed after practice.

Taylor, who suffered a non-contact injury, is dealing with his second Achilles tear in two seasons. In 2021, he suffered a similar injury in the Houston Texans’ season-opening matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

For the Falcons, it’s another man down on the interior of their defensive line. A few weeks ago, veteran Eddie Goldman signed as a free agent, only to retire 13 days later. Since then, Atlanta has signed DT Darrion Daniels, but you can expect the team to make another signing at the nose tackle position.

Taylor, 28, was drafted in the sixth round by the Miami Dolphins in 2017. Over the past five seasons, the former Oklahoma State standout has appeared in 40 games for the Texans, Browns, Bills and Dolphins.

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Falcons training camp: Edwards still out, Dalman starts at center

Atlanta Falcons training camp: Updates and highlights from Monday’s practice

Following a day off Sunday, the Atlanta Falcons got back to work on Monday with their first padded practice of the year. Head coach Arthur Smith liked what he was during the team’s fifth day of training camp.

We look at some position battles, injury updates and highlights from the Falcons’ first padded practice in today’s recap.

Falcons Training Camp: Takeaways from Day 1 of practice

Major takeaways from the Atlanta Falcons’ first training camp practice.

The Falcons began their much-anticipated second training camp under head coach Arthur Smith on Wednesday as the team looks to improve upon last year’s 7-10 campaign.

Atlanta also signed a defensive tackle to beef up the middle of the team’s defensive line following Eddie Goldman’s surprise retirement last week. Here are the major takeaways from the Falcons’ first training camp practice.

Falcons sign former 49ers DT Darrion Daniels

The Atlanta Falcons have found their Eddie Goldman replacement, signing defensive tackle Darrion Daniels on Wednesday afternoon.

The Atlanta Falcons have round their replacement for Eddie Goldman, signing defensive tackle Darrion Daniels on Wednesday afternoon. Daniels, 24, went undrafted out of Nebraska in 2020 before catching on with the San Francisco 49ers, where he played in four games that season.

This move gives the Falcons more nose tackle depth following Goldman’s sudden retirement last week. Daniels should compete with Anthony Rush for reps at defensive tackle.

Atlanta held its first training camp practice on Wednesday. Check out the best highlights and pictures from Day 1.

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Falcons fans react to Julio Jones signing with rival Buccaneers

The Falcons will be reunited with the franchise’s all-time leading receiver twice this season as Julio Jones has signed with the Buccaneers

The Atlanta Falcons will be reunited with the franchise’s all-time leading receiver twice this season as Julio Jones has signed with the NFC South-rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Last year, the Falcons traded Jones to the Tennessee Titans, who despite winning the AFC South, released the All-Pro wideout after the season ended. There was some speculation that Jones could return to Atlanta, but instead he will join Tom Brady in Tampa Bay. The Falcons will face off against the Bucs in Weeks 5 and 18 this season.

Here’s how fans reacted to Jones’ signing on Twitter.

Falcons release training camp hype video as practice begins

Watch: Atlanta Falcons release training camp hype video as practices officially begin

After a busy offseason in Atlanta, training camp is officially underway for the Falcons. Both the offensive and defensive units have several new faces fighting for starting jobs as head coach Arthur Smith looks to improve upon a solid first year in which the team finished with a 7-10 record.

The Falcons’ social media team released a new video to celebrate the start of camp. Check it below, and be sure to check back this afternoon for updates from the first day of practice.

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Falcons LB Deion Jones placed on PUP list to start training camp

Falcons LB Deion Jones will start training camp on the PUP list as he recovers from shoulder surgery.

The Atlanta Falcons will begin training camp without linebacker Deion Jones, who was placed on the NFL’s physically unable to perform (PUP) list on Thursday.

Jones, 27, is recovering from shoulder surgery, which head coach Arthur Smith previously stated would likely keep him out of offseason activities. Here’s the full list of players placed on the PUP list, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

Jones is Atlanta’s highest-paid player, but there has been speculation that he could be traded at some point during the 2022 season. Despite finishing with 137 combined tackles and two sacks, Jones struggled in coverage last season.

While this means Jones will likely miss some of, if not all three Falcons preseason games, he can return at any point during training camp, as ESPN’s Michael Rothstein explains below.

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Eddie Goldman retires less than 2 weeks after signing with Falcons

Less than two weeks after signing a one-year deal with the Falcons, DL Eddie Goldman has decided to retire, the team announced on Tuesday.

Less than two weeks after signing a one-year deal with the Falcons, veteran defensive lineman Eddie Goldman has decided to retire, the team announced on Tuesday afternoon.

The 28-year-old spent seven seasons with the Chicago Bears after being selected in the second round back in 2015. Goldman will finish his career with 73 starts, racking up 175 total tackles, 13 sacks and 21 QB hits.

The Falcons signed Goldman to compete for the starting nose tackle job along with Anthony Rush. It’s unclear what made the former Bears lineman change his mind, but with growing concerns around the long-term health effects of football on the brain, players are retiring earlier and earlier.

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Falcons sign second-round pick Arnold Ebiketie

The Falcons signed second-round draft pick Arnold Ebiketie on Thursday. A standout EDGE at PSU, Ebiketie should fight for a starting job.

The Atlanta Falcons signed second-round draft pick Arnold Ebiketie on Thursday. A standout at Penn State, Ebiketie is expected to compete for a starting job at outside linebacker this season after the Falcons traded up to pick No. 38 to acquire him back in April.

Ebiketie had 9.5 sacks, 18 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles for the Nittany Lions last season. Atlanta released Dante Fowler Jr. and let Steven Means walk during free agency, freeing up both starting OLB spots.

Ebiketie’s elite athleticism was one of his biggest draws coming out of college.

“Ebiketie transferred from Temple to Penn State and proved his 2020 production was no fluke, wrote Pro Football Focus. “He beat up on quality tackles en route to a 90.5 pass-rushing grade and 52 pressures.”

The Falcons signed Lorenzo Carter, who’s expected to start at the other outside linebacker spot this season. Atlanta also drafted EDGE DeAngelo Malone out of Western Kentucky in the third round.

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How many new starters did the Falcons acquire this offseason?

Which Falcons offseason additions are most likely to start for the team in 2022?

Due to a nightmarish salary cap situation, the Atlanta Falcons had no choice but to move on from several key members of their 2016 Super Bowl run over the last few offseasons.

With Matt Ryan, Foye Oluokun, Russell Gage, Calvin Ridley and Hayden Hurst all out of the picture, the Falcons will rely on a combination of free agents and rookies this season.

So how many of Atlanta’s new faces are on track to start for Arthur Smith in 2022? Here’s our list of projected Falcons starters who were added over the offseason.