The Atlanta Falcons announced their 53-man roster on Saturday and now they have revealed the players they've signed to their practice squad.
RELATED CONTENT
For the first time, teams are allowed to keep 16 players on their practice squads. Due to the complications that may arise due to COVID-19, teams will also have much more flexibility in promoting players from the practice squad to the active roster throughout the season if the need should arise.
In addition to announcing their practice squad, the Falcons also claimed offensive tackle Timon Parris off of waivers and will add him to the 53-man roster. In a corresponding move, Atlanta waived offensive tackle John Wetzel. Parris began his NFL career with the Washington Football Team as an undrafted free agent out of Stony Brook. After Wetzel cleared waivers, the Falcons signed him to their practice squad on Sunday afternoon.
As of now, the Falcons have signed 14 players to their practice squad, leaving two spots available for future moves. Here are the players the Falcons have signed to their practice squad:
- CB Delrick Abrams Jr.
- QB Kurt Benkert
- S Jamal Carter
- DE Austin Edwards
- WR Juwan Green
- CB Tyler Hall
- OL Sean Harlow
- CB Josh Hawkins
- QB Kyle Lauletta
- P Cameron Nizialek
- TE Jared Pinkney
- LB Edmond Robinson
- WR Chris Rowland
- OL John Wetzel
The Falcons will carry two quarterbacks on their practice squad, seemingly as insurance in case either Matt Ryan or Matt Schaub must be placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list at any point during the season. In his third NFL training camp, Kurt Benkert looked more comfortable commanding the offense and showed off his powerful arm. The Falcons signed QB Kyle Lauletta shortly before cuts were made, but they must have liked what they saw from him enough to keep him on the practice squad.
Cornerbacks Delrick Abrams and Tyler Hall were among the Falcons' camp standouts, and the two undrafted rookies showed a lot of promise and could develop with the right coaching. Wide receiver Chris Rowland competed with Brandon Powell for the starting kick and punt returner job, and he would likely be signed to the active roster if anything were to happen to Powell. Josh Hawkins will provide some veteran cornerback depth and could be added to the 53-man roster in a pinch, as could safety Jamal Carter.
