FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- The Atlanta Falcons announced Monday that they've signed linebacker Bruce Carter to a one-year extension.

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The veteran linebacker joined the Falcons early in the 2018 season after a rash of injuries on defense. Carter's knowledge of opposing offenses was of great benefit to some of the younger players on Atlanta's defense.

"He picks up on stuff really quickly," rookie linebacker Foyesade Oluokun said of Carter during the season. "I listen to him when he's talking to coach and he helps our room out a lot because he has so much experience. We help him out with the calls and he helps us out with the plays to expect."

In his first season with the Falcons, Carter made 21 combined stops, including 16 solo tackles. Carter's best game of the season came in Atlanta's win against Washington, when he recorded seven tackles.

Carter was originally selected in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys. The North Carolina product was hampered by injuries during his time with the Cowboys and then later played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New York Jets. In his eight NFL seasons, Carter has recorded 327 tackles, 17 pass defenses, 14 tackles for a loss and five interceptions.