The Falcons have seen some turnover on their defensive line this year. They will continue that trend by moving on from Marlon Davidson, a former second-round pick.
This move comes after Davidson spent the season’s first seven weeks on IR. The third-year defensive lineman underwent arthroscopic knee surgery just before the season, and ESPN.com’s Michael Rothstein notes (via Twitter) he was on Atlanta’s roster bubble before going down with the injury.
Atlanta’s Thomas Dimitroff–Dan Quinn regime chose Davidson 47th overall out of Auburn in 2020, but the interior D-lineman could not establish himself as a starter for either interim HC Raheem Morris nor DC Dean Pees. Davidson, who dealt with lower-body injuries during his two seasons with the Falcons, has one career start and one sack. He follows D-line contributors Anthony Rush and John Cominsky in being moved off the roster this year.
The Falcons cut Rush earlier this month and saw offseason addition Eddie Goldman retire shortly after joining the team. The 3-4 squad is thin on D-linemen acquired before GM Terry Fontenot took over; Grady Jarrett is the last man standing there.
Pees’ unit has turned to 2021 fifth-round pick Ta’Quon Graham as its starter opposite Jarrett up front, with Abdullah Anderson manning the nose post. Timmy Horne‘s emergence as a reserve also influenced Atlanta’s Davidson decision, per Rothstein. In not activating Davidson from IR, the Falcons still have seven injury activations remaining this season.
Broncos country, let’s ride!