The Atlanta Falcons today announced that they have released defensive end Chauncey Davis, defensive tackle Trey Lewis and linebacker Coy Wire. The team waived tight end Marquez Branson, fullback Lucas Cox, center Paul Fenaroli, safety Matt Hansen, wide receiver Brandyn Harvey, running back Gartrell Johnson, defensive end Tom McCarthy, cornerback Kamaal McIlwain, center Ryan McMahon, safety Rafael Priest, defensive end Kiante Tripp, safety Suaesi Tuimaunei and linebacker Bear Woods. Atlanta also reached an injury settlement with wide receiver Andy Strickland.
Davis, 6-2, 272 pounds, was originally selected by the Falcons in the fourth round (128th overall) of the 2005 NFL Draft. He spent six seasons in Atlanta, totaling 204 tackles (147 solo), 10 sacks, two interceptions, two forced fumbles, eight fumble recoveries and six passes defensed in 95 career games.
Lewis, 6-3, 312 pounds, was originally selected by the Falcons in the sixth round (185th overall) of the 2007 NFL Draft. He totaled 35 tackles (19 solo) and one interception in four seasons in Atlanta.
Wire, 6-0, 225 pounds, was originally selected by the Buffalo Bills in the third round (97th overall) of the 2002 NFL Draft. He has compiled 206 tackles, five sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and six passes defensed in nine NFL seasons between the Bills and Falcons.
Branson, 6-3, 247 pounds, was originally signed by the Denver Broncos as a college free agent following the 2009 NFL Draft. He spent the 2010 season on the Falcons practice squad.
Cox, 6-0, 245 pounds, was signed by the Falcons as a college free agent on July 26, 2011 out of Georgia Tech.
Fenaroli, 6-3, 310 pounds, was signed by the Falcons as a college free agent on July 26, 2011 out of Stony Brook University.
Hansen, 6-1, 230 pounds, was signed by the Falcons as a college free agent on July 26, 2011 out of the University of Rhode Island.
Harvey, 6-4, 197 pounds, was signed by the Falcons as a college free agent on April 26, 2010 out of Villanova University. He was signed to the Falcons practice squad on December 29, 2010 and later signed as a reserve/future free agent on January 18, 2011.
Johnson, 5-10, 219 pounds, was originally selected by the San Diego Chargers in the fourth round (134th overall) of the 2009 NFL Draft. He was signed by the New York Giants on September 15, 2009 after being waived by the Chargers on September 14, 2009. He was signed by the Falcons on September 21, 2011. In 2010, Johnson saw action in nine games and totaled 36 yards on 10 rushes, including a season-long 23-yard rush.
McCarthy, 6-6, 252 pounds, was signed by the Falcons as a college free agent on July 26, 2011 out of Yale University.
McIlwain, 5-10, 175 pounds, was signed by the Falcons as a college free agent on July 26, 2011 out of Newberry College.
McMahon, 6-1, 284 pounds, was signed by the Falcons as a college free agent on July 26, 2011 out of Florida State University.
Priest, 5-10, 181 pounds, was originally signed by the New Orleans Saints as a college free agent on April 26, 2010 out of Texas Christian University. He was signed by the Falcons as a reserve/future free agent on February 11, 2011.
Tripp, 6-6, 276 pounds, was signed by the Falcons as a college free agent on July 26, 2011 out of the University of Georgia.
Tuimaunei, 6-1, 205, was signed by the Falcons as a college free agent on July 26, 2011 out of Oregon State University.
Woods, 6-0, 245 pounds, was signed by the Falcons as a college free agent on April 26, 2010 out of Troy University. He was signed to the Falcons practice squad on September 5, 2010 and later signed as a reserve/future free agent on January 18, 2011.
Strickland, 6-0, 193 pounds, was originally signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars as a rookie free agent in June of 2009. He spent the entire 2010 season as a member of the Falcons practice squad.
Atlanta will have to trim its roster to 53 players by September 3 and may establish an eight-player practice squad on September 4.
