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Azeez Ojulari Joins Raiders Practice Squad After Getting Cut by the Falcons
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- Azeez Ojulari Joins Raiders Practice Squad After Getting Cut by the Falcons
Former Atlanta Falcons linebacker/edge rusher Azeez Ojulari has been signed by the Las Vegas Raiders ' practice squad after being released by the Atlanta Falcons last week.
The 6-foot-3, 240-pound linebacker was a second-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft out of Georgia. The Marietta, Georgia native recorded 71 total tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, five forced fumbles and 14.0 sacks across 27 career games during his college career.
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Ojulari had a great rookie campaign with the New York Giants , recording 8.0 sacks as a rookie, but his career was filled with injuries his next three seasons with New York as he never played in more than 11 games.
All 22 of his career NFL sacks came with the Giants from 2021-2024. He then played for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2025 where he played three games posting six tackles before suffering a hamstring injury.
The Falcons picked him up this offseason as insurance, since they will be without Jalon Walker (season) and James Pearce Jr. (eight games) . But after signing him to a $1.4 million one-year deal he was cut by the Falcons on Aug. 30 during last week's roster cuts.
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Across 49 games played over five seasons, Ojulari has recorded 22 sacks, 113 total tackles, and 38 QB hits.
It's actually a bit of a surprise that Ojulari has been released, given the lack of depth at the edge rusher position.
AJC reporter Daniel Flick wrote (via X.com): "Falcons initial 53 features a few shocks: Tyler Goodson , Azeez Ojulari, Chris Williams and Josh Woods all released. Team enters week with four QBs, two RBs and only three OLBs."
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The Raiders also signed massive draft bust Evan Neal , along with Ojulari. Neal, the former No. 7 overall selection by the Giants in the 2022 NFL Draft, was released by the Giants in the recent cutdown to the 53-man roster limit. He played in just 29 games with 27 starts for the Giants.
What's next for the Falcons' pass rush
As for the Falcons, they will be starting Brandon Dorlus , Za'Darius Smith and Christian Harris as the premier pass rushers for the Falcons on opening day against the Steelers .
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I have a feeling that Dorlus and the crew will not get to 57 sacks as they did last year when they set a Falcons franchise record in sacks. The Falcons will get back James Pearce Jr after he is done serving his eight-game suspension after violating the NFL Personal Conduct Policy .
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Sep 6, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
