The Atlanta Falcons elected to keep three quarterbacks in announcing their initial 53-man roster on Tuesday.
Veteran journeyman Taylor Heinicke joined starter Kirk Cousins and rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr., with the main surprise cuts being preseason standouts cornerback Kevin King and wide receiver Chris Blair.
Safety DeMarcco Hellams was placed on injured reserve but with a designation to return label from the ankle injury he suffered in the preseason opener.
Among those who did survive the final cut was special teams ace DeAngelo Malone as one of the four outside linebackers.
FALCONS 53-MAN ROSTER
QUARTERBACKS (3): Kirk Cousins, Taylor Heinicke, Michael Penix Jr.
WIDE RECEIVERS (5): KhaDarel Hodge, Drake London, Ray-Ray McCloud III, Darnell Mooney, Casey Washington
RUNNING BACKS (4): Tyler Allgeier, Jase McClellan, Bijan Robinson, Avery Williams
TIGHT ENDS (3): Ross Dwelley, Kyle Pitts, Charlie Woerner
OFFENSIVE LINE (9): Matthew Bergeron, Drew Dalman, Jovaughn Gwyn, Kyle Hinton, Chris Lindstrom, Jake Matthews, Kaleb McGary, Ryan Neuzil, Storm Norton
DEFENSIVE LINE (9): Brandon Dorlus, Ta’Quon Graham, Eddie Goldman, Zach Harrison, Grady Jarrett, Ruke Orhorhoro, David Onyemata, James Smith-Williams, Kentavius Street
OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS (4): Lorenzo Carter, Arnold Ebiketie, Matthew Judon, DeAngelo Malone
INSIDE LINEBACKERS (4): Troy Andersen, JD Bertrand, Kaden Elliss, Nate Landman
CORNERBACKS (5): Dee Alford, Antonio Hamilton Sr., Mike Hughes, Clark Phillips III, A.J. Terrell
SAFETIES (4): Micah Abernathy, Jessie Bates III, Richie Grant, Justin Simmons
SPECIALISTS (3): Younghoe Koo, Liam McCullough, Bradley Pinion
WAIVED/INJURED: LB Milo Eifler, S Josh Thompson
RELEASED: WR Chris Blair, CB Natrone Brooks, RB Spencer Brown, S Dane Cruikshank, OL Julien Davenport, WR Dylan Drummond, DL Prince Emili, TE John FitzPatrick, DL Demone Harris, WR O.J. Hiliare, CB Anthony Johnson, CB Kevin King, DL Zion Logue, DL LaCale London, WR Jesse Matthews, DL Kenny Oginni, CB Jayden Price, OL Andrew Stueber, S Tre Tarpley III, DL Tommy Togai, RB Carlos Washington Jr., OL Barry Wesley
One of the biggest questions ahead of the final cut day was the status of Heinicke, who completed only 45.5 percent of his passes with no touchdowns and a 59.5 passer rating during the preseason. The 31-year-old has played in 38 career NFL games and is likely to serve as the emergency third quarterback behind Cousins and Penix, who played on 24 snaps during the preseason.
Several of the players who were released could be among the 16 players the Falcons can add to their practice squad. More roster moves could also be made leading up to the team’s Sept. 8 regular-season opener against Pittsburgh.
