Falcons place Jalon Walker on IR, claim former Jets DB off waivers

[ASFN Admin]

The Atlanta Falcons placed linebacker Jalon Walker on the injured reserve list Thursday afternoon, claiming former New York Jets defensive back Keidron Smith off of waivers in a corresponding move.

Walker suffered a severe knee injury during Tuesday's practice and had to be carted off of the field. Tests confirmed the former Georgia star tore his ACL, effectively ending his sophomore season before it even began. While many expected the team to target an edge rusher once Walker went on IR, the Falcons are holding off for now.

Smith, 26, is a former undrafted free agent who spent four years at Ole Miss and one year at Kentucky before signing with the Washington Commanders in 2023. He failed to make the roster that season, but he signed with the Denver Broncos in 2024 and appeared in nine games.

Last season, Smith signed with the New York Jets, where he appeared in three games. The young defensive back can provide depth at nickel and safety for Atlanta. Check out the team's updated 90-man roster below.

Quarterbacks (4)​

• Michael Penix Jr. (9)
• Tua Tagovailoa (1)
• Cooper Rush (13)
• Jack Strand (18)

Running Backs (5)​

• Bijan Robinson (7)
• Brian Robinson Jr. (15)
• Tyler Goodson (25)
• Nathan Carter (38)
• Cash Jones (32)

Wide Receivers (10)​

• Drake London (5)
• Jahan Dotson (4)
• Olamide Zaccheaus (14)
• Zachariah Branch (17)
• Chris Blair (19)
• Dylan Drummond (80)
• Antwane Wells Jr. (59)
• Vinny Anthony II (86)
• Le’Meke Brockington (88)
• Keelan Marion (85)

Tight Ends (5)​

• Kyle Pitts (8)
• Austin Hooper (81)
• Charlie Woerner (89)
• Joshua Simon (47)
• Jack Velling (84)

Offensive Linemen (17)​

• Wanya Morris (79)
• Jake Matthews (70)
• Matthew Bergeron (65)
• Ryan Neuzil (64)
• Chris Lindstrom (63)
• Jawaan Taylor (71) PUP LIST
• Ethan Onianwa (75)
• Andrew Stueber (74)
• Kyle Hinton (68)
• Jack Nelson (69)
• Michael Jerrell (72)
• Corey Levin (62)
• Riley Mahlman (76)
• James Brockermeyer (66)
• Kam Dewberry (61)
• Layden Robinson (73)
• Brandon Walton (67)

Defensive Linemen (10)​

• Brandon Dorlus (54)
• Maason Smith(92)
• Marlon Tuipulotu (TBD)
• Da'Shawn Hand (90)
• Chris Williams (93)
• LaCale London (94)
• Devonnsha Maxwell (91)
• Zach Harrison (96) NFI list
• Carlos Allen Jr. (79)
• Anterio Thompson (98) NFI LIST

Linebackers (10)​

• Divine Deablo (0)
• Kendal Daniels (53)
• Harold Perkins Jr. (56)
• Christian Harris (45)
• Channing Tindall (55)
• JD Bertrand (40)
• Malik Verdon (43)
• Josh Woods (46)
• Troy Andersen (44) PUP LIST
• Daveren Rayner (42)

EDGE (6)​

• James Pearce Jr. (27)
• Bralen Trice (48)
• Azeez Ojulari (51)
• Samson Ebukam (52)
• Keshawn Banks (59)
• Cameron Thomas (99)

Cornerbacks (14)​

• A.J. Terrell (24)
• Avieon Terrell (12)
• Mike Hughes (21)
• Billy Bowman Jr. (33) PUP LIST
• Darnay Holmes (30)
• Natrone Brooks (35)
• Cobee Bryant (37)
• Clark Phillips III (22)
• C.J. Henderson (26)
• Mike Ford Jr. (28)
• A.J. Woods (20)
• Darren Hall (41)
• Malcolm DeWalt (36)
• Keidron Smith (TBD)

Safeties (5)​

• Jessie Bates III (3)
• Xavier Watts (31)
• DeMarcco Hellams (23)
• Sydney Brown (29)
• Jammie Robinson (34)

Special Teams (5)*​

• LS: Liam McCullough (49)
• K: Nick Folk (6)
• P: Jake Bailey (16)
• LS Philip Florenzo (46)
• P: Matthew Hayball (39)*

*Mathew Hayball does not count against the 90-man roster since he is the team's designated international player.

Reserve lists (3)​

• OT Storm Norton (Reserve/PUP)
• LB DeAngelo Malone (Reserve/PUP)
• LB Jalon Walker (Injured Reserve)

The Falcons will return to practice on Friday at 9:15 a.m. ET in Flowery Branch.

This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Falcons place Jalon Walker on IR, claim former Jets DB off waivers

Continue reading...