Barry Wesley - Pro Football Rumors

Falcons Reduce Roster To 53

August 27th, 2024 at 4:40pm CST by Adam La Rose

Here are the Falcons’ Tuesday moves which brought the team’s roster to 53 ahead of the cutdown deadline:

Released:

Waived:

WR Chris Blair
CB Natrone Brooke
RB Spencer Brown
WR Dylan Drummond
LB Milo Eifler (injury designation)
DT Prince Emili
TE John FitzPatrick
WR O.J. Hiliare
CB Anthony Johnson
DT Zion Logue
DT LaCale London
WR Jesse Matthews
LB Kenny Oginni
CB Jayden Price
OL Andrew Stueber
S Tre Tarpley
CB Josh Thompson (injury designation)
DT Tommy Togiai
RB Carlos Washington
OL Barry Wesley

Placed on IR (designated for return):

S DeMarcco Hellams

Taylor Heinicke was widely believed to be on the trade block, and it would have come as little surprise if the veteran passer had been released. Atlanta signed Kirk Cousins in free agency and drafted Michael Penix Jr. eighth overall in April. Those two are set to handle starting and backup duties in 2024 (and beyond, if things go according to plan), which suggested Heinicke was expendable. Instead, he will prepare for a second season with the Falcons.

King’s efforts to return to regular NFL action included a contract with the Falcons in March. The former Packers corner sat out the 2022 season while rehabbing multiple injuries. Last year, an Achilles tear forced him to miss another campaign. He was unable to carve out a roster spot in Atlanta, but as a vested veteran he will immediately hit free agency without needing to pass through waivers.

A number of recent draftees are included in the list of players being waived. As a former UDFA, Blair does not meet that criteria but his inclusion is a surprise. The 26-year-old was a standout in the preseason, and ESPN’s Marc Raimondi notes Atlanta is interested is retaining him via the practice squad. The same will no doubt be true of Logue, a sixth-round pick in this year’s draft.

Teams are allowed to designate two players to return from IR without naming them to the 53-man roster. A number of teams have taken advantage of that new rule today, and in Atlanta’s case it means Hellams will not occupy a spot for the time being. The earliest he can be activated is Week 5.

NFL Reserve/Futures Contracts: 1/9/24

January 9th, 2024 at 8:59pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are the reserve/futures deals handed out Tuesday:

Arizona Cardinals

WR Daniel Arias, CB Darren Hall, S Verone McKinley, OL Austen Pleasants

Atlanta Falcons

WR Chris Blair, DB Natrone Brooks, S Lukas Denis, LB Milo Eifler, DE Demone Harris, T John Leglue, WR Austin Mack, LB Donavan Mutin, DT Willington Previlon, G Justin Shaffer, T Ryan Swoboda, T Tyler Vrabel, RB Carlos Washington, T Barry Wesley

Chicago Bears

P Corliss Waitman

Indianapolis Colts

S Kendell Brooks, G Lewis Kidd, S Michael Tutsie

Jacksonville Jaguars

TE Josh Pederson

Los Angeles Chargers

LB Brevin Allen, DT Jerrod Clark, RB Elijah Dotson, QB Max Duggan, WR Simi Fehoko, DB Matt Hankins, OL Brent Laing, LB C.J. Okoye, CB Chris Wilcox

Minnesota Vikings

RB Myles Gaskin

New York Jets

FB Nick Bawden, DT Tanzel Smart

NFL Reserve/Futures Deals: 1/8/24

January 8th, 2024 at 9:24pm CST by Ben Levine

Many teams have started signing players to reserve/futures contracts, allowing organization to retain (routinely) young, practice squad players. Here are the latest reserve/futures contracts:

Arizona Cardinals

WR Andre Baccellia, OL Jackson Barton, WR Kaden Davis, OL Marquis Hayes, RB Tony Jones, TE Bernhard Seikovits, WR Jeff Smith, CB Quavian White

Atlanta Falcons

OL Barry Wesley

Carolina Panthers

RB Mike Boone, RB Spencer Brown, WR Jalen Camp, RB Tarik Cohen, CB Lamar Jackson, TE Jordan Matthews, CB AJ Parker, TE Chris Pierce, WR Cam Sims, OT Badara Traore, DE Raequan Williams

Chicago Bears

LB Micah Baskerville, TE Stephen Carlson, OL Jerome Carvin, DB Adrian Colbert, OL Aviante Collins, DL Michael Dwumfour, DL Daniel Hardy, OL Roy Mbaeteka, OL Bill Murray, WR Nsimba Webster

Cincinnati Bengals

DT Domenique Davis, CB Allan George, C Nate Gilliam, DE Jeff Gunter, LB Shaka Heyward, WR Shedrick Jackson, G Jaxson Kirkland, WR Kwamie Lassiter II, WR Kendric Pryor

Denver Broncos

RB Tyler Badie, QB Ben DiNucci, OT Demontrey Jacobs, S Devon Key, CB Reese Taylor

Indianapolis Colts

LB Austin Ajiake, LB Liam Anderson, WR Tyrie Cleveland, S Marcel Dabo, WR Ethan Fernea, G Arlington Hambright, TE Jordan Murray, RB Zavier Scott, TE Eric Tomlinson

Las Vegas Raiders

DE David Agoha, CB Cornell Armstrong, QB Anthony Brown, OT D.J. Fluker, TE Cole Fotheringham, S Jaydon Grant, DT Marquan McCall, RB Sincere McCormick, OT Jalen McKenzie, TE John Samuel Shenker, DT Nesta Jade Silvera, DE Elerson Smith, DE Charles Snowden, CB Sam Webb, WR Kristian Wilkerson

Minnesota Vikings

LB Abraham Beauplan, G Henry Byrd, OT Coy Cronk, WR N’Keal Harry, WR Trishton Jackson, RB DeWayne McBride, G Tyrese Robinson, WR Thayer Thomas, CB Jaylin Williams, CB Joejuan Williams, G Tyrese Robinson, WR Thayer Thomas

New England Patriots

DE William Bradley-King, LB Joe Giles-Harris, DB Azizi Hearn, DT Trysten Hill, WR T.J. Luther, OT Andrew Stueber, RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn

New Orleans Saints

RB James Robinson

New York Giants

DT Ryder Anderson, OT Yodny Cajuste, DB Kaleb Hayes, WR Dennis Houston, RB Deon Jackson, LB Dyontae Johnson, LB Jeremiah Martin, G Jalen Mayfield, OL Joshua Miles, DB Stantley Thomas-Oliver

New York Jets

OL Obinna Eze, OL Vitaliy Gurman, CB Tae Hayes, DL Manny Jones, RB Jacques Patrick, K Austin Seibert, DL Marquiss Spencer, WR Malik Taylor

Seattle Seahawks

LB Levi Bell, NT Matthew Gotel, RB Bryant Koback, TE Tyler Mabry, S Jonathan Sutherland, WR Cody White, WR Easop Winston Jr.

Tennessee Titans

CB Shyheim Carter, DB Tay Gowan, WR Tre’Shaun Harrison, TE Thomas Odukoya, LB Thomas Rush, G Lachavious Simmons

Washington Commanders

LB Brandon Bouyer-Randle, WR Davion Davis, CB D’Angelo Mandell

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/5/23

September 5th, 2023 at 6:26pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s practice squad transactions:

Atlanta Falcons

Signed: S Lukas Denis
Placed on IR: OT Barry Wesley

Carolina Panthers

Signed: WR Dezmon Patmon

Cincinnati Bengals

Signed: TE Zach Gentry, LB Garrett Nelson
Released: LB Tyler Murray

Las Vegas Raiders

Signed: WR Keelan Cole Sr.
Released: WR Antoine Wesley

The Raiders added a veteran wideout to their practice squad in Keelan Cole Sr.. The 30-year-old spent the majority of the 2022 campaign in Las Vegas, hauling in 10 catches for 141 yards and one touchdown. He was productive in 31 games with the Jaguars and Jets between 2020 and 2021, catching 83 passes for 1,091 yards and six touchdowns.

Cole will be taking the spot held by Antoine Wesley, who earned his walking papers today. The former UDFA got into 15 games for the Cardinals in 2021, finishing with 19 catches for 208 yards and three touchdowns.

Wednesday NFL Transactions: NFC South

August 30th, 2023 at 4:56pm CST by Sam Robinson

Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline Tuesday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters. In addition to waiver claims, teams can begin constructing their 16-man practice squads today. These Buccaneers, Falcons, Panthers and Saints moves are noted below.

Atlanta Falcons

Signed:

T Isaiah Prince

Claimed:

Waived:

OL Josh Miles

Signed to practice squad:

DB Micah Abernathy, DB Natrone Brooks, DL Timmy Horne, RB Godwin Igwebuike, DL LaCale London, OL Justin Shaffer, WR Matthew Sexton, OL Tyler Vrabel, OL Barry Wesley, LB Andre Smith, TE Parker Hesse, TE Tucker Fisk, WR Xavier Malone, DL Kemoko Turay

Carolina Panthers

Claimed:

LB Claudin Cherelus, DB D’Shawn Jamison, T Calvin Throckmorton

Waived:

Signed to practice squad:

OL Deonte Brown, RB Spencer Brown, OL J.D. DiRenzo, OL Justin McCray, OLB Eku Leota, CB Mark Milton, DB Eric Rowe, T David Sharpe, DT Taylor Stallworth, OLB Jordan Thomas, DB Stantley Thomas-Oliver, DT Raequan Williams

New Orleans Saints

Claimed:

Waived:

Signed to practice squad:

S Jonathan Abram, WR Lynne Bowden, LB Ryan Connelly, WR Shaquan Davis, OL Mark Evans, DT Jack Heflin, CB Anthony Johnson, WR Jontre Kirklin, G Tommy Kraemer, DE Niko Lalos, RB Ellis Marriweather, T Storm Norton, LB Anfernee Orji, DE Kyle Phillips, LB Jaylon Smith (story), LB Ty Summers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Claimed:

Waived:

Signed to practice squad:

LB Brandon Bouyer-Randle, DL C.J. Brewer, OL Silas Dzansi, OL Luke Haggard, CB Keenan Isaac, WR Cephus Johnson, S Richard LeCounte, WR Ryan Miller, WR David Moore, T Raiqwon O’Neal, OLB Jose Ramirez, LB J.J. Russell, TE Tanner Taula, QB John Wolford

Falcons Reduce Roster To 53 Players

August 29th, 2023 at 10:59pm CST by Ben Levine

The Falcons roster took shape today. While the team moved on from some notable veterans, the front office surely had a tougher time waiving a long list of promising young players:

Released:

Waived:

DB Micah Abernathy
WR Slade Bolden
DB Natrone Brooks
DB Cliff Chatman
DL Carlos Davis
DB Lukas Denis
TE Tucker Fisk
LB Frank Ginda
DB Darren Hall
DL Demone Harris
WR Keilahn Harris
TE Parker Hesse
DL Timmy Horne
RB Godwin Igwebuike
LB Mike Jones
DL LaCale London
WR Zay Malone
OL Michal Menet
DL Caeveon Patton
RB Clint Ratkovich
OL Trevor Reid
WR Mathew Sexton
OL Justin Shaffer
OL Tyler Vrabel
RB Carlos Washington Jr.
OL Barry Wesley

Placed on IR:

DB Cornell Armstrong
WR Penny Hart

One of the most surprising cuts was Darren Hall, who has started 10 of his 31 appearances for the Falcons over the past two seasons. The former fourth-round pick started nine games this past year, finishing with 45 tackles, three passes defended, and one forced fumble.

Parker Hesse spent the past two seasons in Atlanta, serving mostly as a blocking tight end. The former UDFA started seven of his 17 appearances this past season, hauling in nine catches for 89 yards.

Minor NFL Transactions: 5/15/23

May 15th, 2023 at 9:40pm CST by Sam Robinson

The first of this year’s spring leagues to debut, the XFL’s third effort, finished its season Saturday. XFL players are now free to sign NFL contracts, and several agreed to terms Monday. Here are those agreements, along with the other transactions from around the league:

Arizona Cardinals

Waived: DL Manny Jones, LB Blake Lynch

Atlanta Falcons

Signed: DB Natrone Brooks, S Lukas Denis, DL LaCale London, T Barry Wesley
Waived: LB David Anenih, CB Javelin Guidry, DB Matt Hankins, WR Ra’Saun Henry, DB Dylan Mabin, TE/FB John Raine
Waived/injured: RB B.J. Baylor

Carolina Panthers

Signed: T BJ Wilson

Cleveland Browns

Waived: LB Storey Jackson, DT Roderick Perry

Denver Broncos

Signed: RB Tyreik McAllister, RB Jacques Patrick
Waived: WR Dallas Daniels, DB Darrious Gaines, TE Kris Leach, RB Emanuel Wilson

Detroit Lions

Signed: WR Dylan Drummond

Green Bay Packers

Waived: S James Wiggins

Jacksonville Jaguars

Signed: DB Latavious Brini, WR Jacob Harris
Waived: DL Jayson Ademilola

Kansas City Chiefs

Signed: CB Ekow Boye-Doe
Waived: WR Ty Scott

Las Vegas Raiders

Signed: WR Kristian Wilkerson
Waived: WR Tyler Johnson

Los Angeles Rams

Signed: DB Timarcus Davis, DL Taron Vincent
Waived: WR Tyler Hudson, LB Matthew Jester, DB Jaiden Woodbey

Miami Dolphins

Signed: DB Bryce Thompson

New Orleans Saints

Signed: DB Adrian Frye, DL Jack Heflin, DE Niko Lalos, RB Ellis Merriweather
Waived: WR Sy Barnett, DB Vincent Gray

New York Jets

Signed: TE Izaiah Gathings

Pittsburgh Steelers

Signed: CB Luq Barcoo, RB Alfonzo Graham

Seattle Seahawks

Signed: DL Austin Faoliu, NT Forrest Merrill
Waived: LB Michael Ayers, DE Jacob Sykes

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Signed: DL C.J. Brewer, S Kedrick Whitehead
Waived: T Dylan Cook, OLB Nelson Mbanasor

Tennessee Titans

Signed: C James Empey, CB Eric Garror, WR Gavin Holmes, WR Kearis Jackson, CB Armani Marsh

Washington Commanders

Signed: T Jaryd Jones-Smith
Placed on active/PUP list: LB Drew White

After seeing the pandemic nix its second effort in 2020, the XFL concluded its season Saturday. The Broncos signed the league’s second-leading rusher, in Patrick, while the Browns and Cowboys offered Barqoo contracts, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler tweets. Barqoo, who played for the Jaguars in 2020 and XFL’s San Antonio Brahmas this year, opted for the Steelers’ offer. Patrick, whom the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson notes passed a Broncos physical Monday, finished with 443 rushing yards and five touchdowns. He joins XFL passing leader Ben DiNucci as a Broncos May addition.

Seeing time for the St. Louis BattleHawks, Jones-Smith played in three games apiece with Raiders and Ravens, respectively, from 2020-21. Thompson will join the Dolphins after a spring tour of duty with the Seattle Sea Dragons, while fellow XFL alum Brewer played in two games for the Bills last year. Heflin played five games for the Packers in 2021; the new Saint spent the XFL season with the Houston Roughnecks.

The Raiders gave Johnson a reserve/futures deal in January. The young wideout collected a ring with the 2020 Buccaneers and totaled 360 receiving yards for Tampa Bay’s 2021 iteration. While the Texans claimed him on waivers ahead of last season, he played in just two games with the team.

Jackson suited up for national championship-winning Georgia last season. The new Titans wideout finished with 514 receiving yards in 2020 and totaled 320 for last season’s Bulldogs edition. A Division II Quincy alum, Wilson received an East-West Shrine Bowl invite but tore an Achilles tendon late last season.