Heavy Cuts Before the Deadline
The Atlanta Falcons made big moves on Sunday to get their roster down to the required 53 players. The team waived former third-round pick Bralen Trice and two promising undrafted free agents, Vinny Anthony II and James Brockermeyer. These three players were high on the depth chart just days ago. Now they are gone. The choice to let go of Trice arrived as the 6 p.m. ET deadline approached. Wanya Morris, an offensive tackle, and Cameron Sample, a defensive end, were also released by the team during this same action. This leaves the squad with a much thinner margin for error as the regular season approaches.
Practice Squad Hope for Some
Not every cut means a player leaves Atlanta forever. Vinny Anthony II showed flashes of brilliance as a kick returner during the preseason. In the opener versus the Denver Broncos, he posted an average of 30 yards on kickoff returns. Later, he broke loose for a massive 52-yard return in the finale against the Miami Dolphins. Once all cuts conclude, sources indicate he is expected to join the team’s practice squad. Offensive lineman James Brockermeyer also faces a similar fate. He was a standout in camp and even filled in for starting center Ryan Neuzil. Offensive line coach Bill Callahan praised his performance heavily. He did a great job. Functioning like an air traffic controller, he safely landed all the planes today, which was great. Should Trice clear waivers, the Falcons might also re-add him to the practice squad.
Trade Adds and Injury Concerns
While they cut players, the Falcons also added new talent. The team acquired defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr. from the Chicago Bears. Chicago received cornerback Clark Phillips III along with a fifth-round pick as part of this transaction. The Falcons are inheriting a one-year, $1.59 million contract for Dexter. He brings 13.5 career sacks but is not a strong run defender. He will likely play mostly on passing downs. This move helps fill a hole caused by injuries on the interior line. Most of training camp was missed by Da’Shawn Hand because of a leg injury. It remains unclear if he will be ready for Week 1. An undisclosed injury caused Anterio Thompson, a sixth-round pick, to miss the entire offseason. He sits on the active/NFI list. The Falcons now have a roster of 74 players, but that number will drop to 53 before Monday. The team needs every healthy body to survive a tough NFC South division.
