The Atlanta Falcons released their 53-man roster as required of all NFL teams today.
The most noteworthy of the developments in this roster release:
- 26 players were waived.
- 5 were released from the team.
- 2 were placed on injured reserve.
- 16 of the waived players could go to the practice squad.
- The Falcons now have three quarterbacks.
- Those QB will have a lot of offensive weapons at their disposal, with 5 WRs, 4 TE’s, and 4 RBs.
- The Falcons have fortified their defense, with 8 Linebackers, 7 DLs, and 10 DBs.
As expected, newly drafted running back Bijan Robinson earned his spot as a starter on the roster. Newcomers Logan Woodside and Taylor Heincke join starter Desmond Ridder in the quarterback column. And the Falcons stocked up on offense, with nine offensive linemen on the roster, with rookies like Matthew Bergeron and Kyle Hinton joining with vets like Chris Lindstrom and Jake Matthews. Rookies on the defense side of the lineup include linebacker Troy Andersen, DB’s DeMarcco Hellams and Dee Alford, and DLs Zach Harrison and Ta’Quan Grahm.
The 2023 Atlanta Falcons Player Roster (Initial)
| OFFENSE | |
| Quarterbacks | Desmond Ridder, Logan Woodside, Taylor Heincke |
| Running Backs | Bijan Robinson, Cordarrelle Patterson, Keith Smith, Tyler Allgeier |
| Wide Recievers | Drake London, Josh Ali, KhaDarel Hodge, Mack Hollins, Scotty Miller |
| Tight Ends | John FitzPatrick, Jonnu Smith, Kyle Pitts, MyCole Pruitt |
| Offensive Linemen | Chris Lindstrom, Drew Dalman, Jake Matthews, Joshua Miles, Jovaughn Gwyn, Kaleb McGary, Kyle Hinton, Matthew Bergeron, Ryan Neuzil |
| DEFENSE | |
| Linebackers | Arnold Ebikette, Bud Dupree, DeAngelo Malone, Kaden Eliss, Lorenzo Carter, Nate Landman, Tae Davis, Troy Andersen |
| Defensive Backs | A.J. Terrell, Clark Phillips III, DeMarcco Hellams, Dee Alford, JaylinnHawkins, Jeff Okudah, Jeff Bates III, Mike Hughes, Richie Grant, Tre Flowers |
| Defensive Linemen | Albert Huggins, Calais Campbell, David Onyemata, Grady Jarrett, Joe Gaziano, Ta’Quon Graham, Zach Harrison |
| SPECIAL TEAMS | |
| Kicker | Younghoe Koo |
| Punter | Bradley Pinion |
| Long Snapper | Liam McCullough` |
| TEAM TRANSACTIONS | |
| Injured Reserve | Cornell Armstrong(DB), Penny Hart (WR) |
| Released | J.J. Arcega-Whiteside (WR), Breon Borders (DB), Jonotthan Harrison (OL), Andre Smith Jr. (LB), Kemoko Turay (LB) |
| Waived | Micah Abernathy (DB), Slade Bolden (WR), Natrone Brooks (DB), Cliff Chatman (DB). Carlos Davis (DL), Lukas Denis (DB), Tucker Fisk (TE), Frank Ginda (LB), Darren Hall (DB), Demone Harris (DB), Keilahn Harris (WR), Parker Hesse, (TE), Timmy Horne (DL), Barry Wesley (OL), Carlos Washington Jr. (RB), Tyler Vrabel (OL), Justin Shaffer (OL), Mathew Sexton (WR), Trevor Reid (OL), Clint Ratkovich (RB), Caeveon Patton (DL), Michal Menet (OL), Zay Malone (WR), LaCale London (DL), Mike Jones ( LB), Godwin Igwebu |
Data source: Atlanta Falcons
Last Saturday, the Falcons got started trimming it’s originally 90-person roster by cutting cornerback Bless Austin, defensive linemen Justin Ellis and Delontae Scott, and offensive lineman Jalylen Mayfield.
While the 53 man roster as listed above should be intact from the start of the season to the end, it is not final and there could be some additions (or subtractions) before the season starts and during the season.
Today, it was reported that the Falcons are scheduled to try out former pro-bowler CB Malcom Butler Wendesday. Butler has not played a professional game since 2020, but spent three years with the Tennessee Titans, with current Falcons Head Coach Arthur Smith as his coach there.
Although not getting on the 53 man roster may be viewed by some as the end of the line for released and waived players, it is in fact, not.Many of the waived players could wind up in the Falcons practice squad. Some may wind up on other NFL football teams (and also XFL and USFL teams as well.)