Saturday afternoon, the Atlanta Falcons cut their roster down from 90 players to the mandatory 53 ahead of the 4:00 PM Eastern deadline. One of the players who did not make the roster was wide-receiver LaQuon Treadwell. The former Ole Miss standout failed to impress during training camp, according to many observers. Also, the Falcons cut quarterback Kurt Benkert, offensive guard Sean Harlow, tight end Jared Pinkney, as well as wide receiver J.J. Wilcox.
The Falcons have kept all 2020 draft picks as well as the majority of their key players from last season’s roster. The Falcons head into week one carrying two quarterbacks, Matt Ryan and Matt Schaub. They also will carry six wide receivers (Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley, Russell Gage, Christian Blake, Olamide Zaccheus, and Brandon Powell). The likely reason why Powell beat out LaQuon Treadwell for a spot on the roster is because of his willingness to return punts. Atlanta will have five running backs, led by Todd Gurley II and Brian Hill. Ito Smith will Quadree Ollison spell Gurley II and Hill as Keith Smith is the fullback.
Linebacker Steven Means is currently on the reserve/COVID-19 list and he is on the roster. However, Means does not count against the 53-man roster.
The Falcons have released the following players:
- DB Delrick Abrams Jr.
- DT Hinwa Allieu
- OT Ka’John Armstrong
- QB Kurt Benkert
- DB Jamal Carter
- DB Chris Cooper
- RB Mikey Daniel
- DE Austin Edwards
- OG Justin Gooseberry
- WR Devin Gray
- WR Juwan Green
- DB Tyler Hall
- OG Sean Harlow
- DB Josh Hawkins
- OT Evin Ksiezarczyk
- OT Sailosi Latu
- QB Kyle Lauletta
- WR Jalen McCleskey
- TE Jared Pinkney
- RB Craig Reynolds
- LB Edmond Robinson
- WR Chris Rowland
- WR Laquon Treadwell
- LB Ray Wilborn
- DB J.J. Wilcox
In a COVID-19 related change for the 2020 season, NFL teams are permitted to carry sixteen players on the practice squad. Also, the NFL is not allowing players into training facilities the day after games, based on a memo sent to teams Saturday. For example, teams playing on Sunday, cannot visit the facility Monday (exceptions are made for teams on short weeks and for players requiring medical care. Coaches and front-office staff can go into the facility the day after a game after they receive a negative COVID-19 test result.
| Number | Name | Position | Experience |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Matt Ryan | QB | 13 |
| 4 | Sterling Hofrichter | P | Rookie |
| 7 | Younghoe Koo | K | 2 |
| 8 | Matt Schaub | QB | 17 |
| 11 | Julio Jones | WR | 10 |
| 13 | Christian Blake | WR | 2 |
| 15 | Brandon Powell | WR | 2 |
| 17 | Olamide Zaccheaus | WR | 2 |
| 18 | Calvin Ridley | WR | 3 |
| 20 | Kendall Sheffield | CB | 2 |
| 21 | Todd Gurley II | RB | 6 |
| 22 | Keanu Neal | S | 5 |
| 23 | Brian Hill | RB | 4 |
| 24 | A.J. Terrell | CB | R |
| 25 | Ito Smith | RB | 3 |
| 26 | Isaiah Oliver | CB | 3 |
| 27 | Damontae Kazee | S | 4 |
| 30 | Qadree Ollison | RB | 2 |
| 32 | Jaylinn Hawkins | S | R |
| 33 | Blidi Wreh-Wilson | CB | 7 |
| 36 | Deone Bucannon | LB | 7 |
| 37 | Ricardo Allen | S | 6 |
| 38 | Darqueze Dennard | CB | 7 |
| 40 | Keith Smith | FB | 7 |
| 41 | Sharrod Neasman | S | 5 |
| 43 | Mykal Walker | LB | R |
| 45 | Deion Jones | LB | 5 |
| 47 | Josh Harris | LS | 8 |
| 50 | John Cominsky | DE | 2 |
| 51 | Alex Mack | C | 12 |
| 54 | Foyesade Oluokun | LB | 3 |
| 56 | Dante Fowler Jr. | DE | 6 |
| 59 | LaRoy Reynolds | LB | 8 |
| 61 | Matt Hennessy | C | R |
| 63 | Chris Lindstrom | OG | 2 |
| 65 | Justin McCray | OL | 4 |
| 70 | Jake Matthews | OT | 7 |
| 73 | Matt Gono | OT | 3 |
| 75 | John Wetzel | OL | 5 |
| 76 | Kaleb McGary | OT | 2 |
| 77 | James Carpenter | OG | 10 |
| 81 | Hayden Hurst | TE | 3 |
| 83 | Russell Gage | WR | 3 |
| 87 | Jaeden Graham | TE | 2 |
| 88 | Luke Stocker | TE | 9 |
| 90 | Marlon Davidson | DT | R |
| 91 | Jacob Tuioti-Mariner | DT | 2 |
| 92 | Charles Harris | DE | 4 |
| 93 | Allen Bailey | DE | 10 |
| 94 | Deadrin Senat | DT | 3 |
| 96 | Tyeler Davison | DT | 6 |
| 97 | Grady Jarrett | DT | 6 |
| 98 | Takk McKinley | DE | 4 |
