It’s a tough couple of days in the NFL, where hundreds of players are going to go from roster hopefuls to seeking a new team. The Falcons are no exception, as they have to cut 27 players by 4 p.m. tomorrow.
We don’t know when Atlanta will announce their cuts, as it could be any time between now and late tomorrow afternoon, but we do know there are some very tough calls to be made at position groups like wide receiver and the defensive line, where multiple depth options played extremely well this summer. We’ll see who stays and who goes soon enough, and we’ll round up updates here as they come in. Remember, again, that this is a fraught time for NFL players and do be kind in your reactions.
Tuesday
- Per ESPN’s Mike Rothstein, tackle Leroy Watson and inside linebacker Dorian Etheridge are being waived. Watson is a long-term developmental project at tackle and Etheridge is a capable reserve and special teamer, so don’t be surprised if one or both lands back on the practice squad.
- Atlanta continues to whittle down a deep receiver position, with Cameron Batson joining Darby and Berryhill in today’s list of cuts.
- It appears there either will not be a fourth running back on the roster or the team will add an outside option, as the Falcons are reportedly cutting veteran back Qadree Ollison.
- Rookie undrafted free agent Stanley Berryhill has also been waived, per ESPN’s Mike Rothstein. Berryhill’s special teams ability and promise as a receiver make him an interesting long-term prospect, but I’m not sure if he’ll re-join Atlanta’s practice squad or not.
- Rookie guard Justin Shaffer is among the early reported cuts. The ferocious run blocker out of Georgia primarily ran with the third-team offensive line in camp, but by all accounts is a player the Falcons like and will likely be back on the practice squad. Elijah Wilkinson and Chris Lindstrom are your starters, with Jalen Mayfield and Colby Gossett likely to make the roster.
- Veteran tight end MyCole Pruitt has also been cut. His ties to Arthur Smith and blocking skills make him another strong bet for the practice squad, but it may depend on what the team decides to do with rookie John FitzPatrick.
- Frank Darby is the first reported cut. I had thought he came on strong enough to make the roster at the end, but instead he seems likely to land on Atlanta’s practice squad.
Falcons have released WR Frank Darby, a candidate for their practice squad.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 30, 2022
- Caleb Huntley was reported shortly thereafter by Mike Rothstein at ESPN. Huntley had been competing with Qadree Ollison for one spot on the roster, and is a logical practice squad candidate.
Falcons informed RB Caleb Huntley he will be waived, per source.
Practice squad candidate if he clears waivers. He had a good preseason in a crowded room.
— Michael Rothstein (@mikerothstein) August 30, 2022
Here’s the current roster, from our frequently updated 2022 roster tracker:
Offense
QB Marcus Mariota
QB Desmond Ridder
QB/TE Feleipe Franks
RB Tyler Allgeier
RB Damien Williams
RB/WR/KR Cordarrelle Patterson
RB Avery Williams
FB Keith Smith
FB/TE John Raine
WR Drake London
WR Bryan Edwards
WR Olamide Zaccheaus
WR Damiere Byrd
WR KhaDarel Hodge
WR KeeSean Johnson
WR/KR Jared Bernhardt
TE Kyle Pitts
TE Anthony Firkser
TE Parker Hesse
TE John FitzPatrick
TE Tucker Fisk
T Jake Matthews
T Kaleb McGary
T Germaine Ifedi
T Tyler Vrabel
G Elijah Wilkinson
G Jalen Mayfield
G Chris Lindstrom
G Ryan Neuzil
G/T Colby Gossett
C Matt Hennessy
C Drew Dalman
C Jonotthan Harrison
Defense
DL Grady Jarrett
DL Marlon Davidson
DL Ta’Quon Graham
DL Nick Thurman
DL Anthony Rush
DL Abdullah Anderson
DL Darrion Daniels
DL Derrick Tangelo
DL Timothy Horne
OLB Adetokunbo Ogundeji
OLB Lorenzo Carter
OLB Arnold Ebiketie
OLB DeAngelo Malone
OLB Quinton Bell
OLB Jordan Brailford
ILB Deion Jones
ILB Rashaan Evans
ILB Nick Kwiatkoski
ILB Mykal Walker
ILB Troy Andersen
LB Nate Landman
CB A.J. Terrell
CB Casey Hayward
CB Isaiah Oliver
CB Darren Hall
CB DeAundre Alford
CB Corey Ballentine
CB Mike Ford
CB Matt Hankins
S Richie Grant
S Jaylinn Hawkins
S Erik Harris
S Dean Marlowe
S/CB Teez Tabor
S Henry Black
Special Teams
K Younghoe Koo
P Bradley Pinion
LS Liam McCullough