The Atlanta Falcons lost their star cornerback A.J. Terrell to injured reserve, and the timing could not have been worse. With a Thursday Night Football game against the Green Bay Packers looming, the team needed a body on the field fast. They found that body in Robert Longerbeam , a young cornerback the Philadelphia Eagles had on their practice squad. This move shows the front office is not going to sit still while their season slips away. According to reports, the Falcons are working to sign Longerbeam to their active roster immediately.
This is a direct response to a crisis, not a long-term plan. The Eagles had already signed veteran Kenny Moore, which opened the door for Atlanta to swoop in. Longerbeam is only 25 years old and was a sixth-round pick by the Baltimore Ravens in the 2025 NFL Draft. He missed his entire rookie season due to a knee injury during training camp. The Falcons are taking a low-risk gamble on a player who has not played a single regular-season snap. It is a smart play for a team that needs depth right now.
Even though he has not played yet, Longerbeam brings physical tools that fit the Falcons' defensive needs. He stands at 5-foot-11, 175 pounds with a massive 6-foot-4 wingspan and ran a 4.39-second 40-yard dash at the combine. Those numbers suggest he can match up with big receivers in the NFC East and beyond. Per reports, he was a playmaker in college at Rutgers who flashed real coverage skills. The Falcons hope he can contribute as a reserve sooner rather than later.
Right now, Atlanta's top three corners are C.J. Henderson , Mike Hughes , and Avieon Terrell. Billy Bowman Jr. is also set to debut soon. Adding Longerbeam gives the team a fourth option with actual speed and size. The Eagles let him go after a quality summer, and now the Falcons get a closer look at him. This is exactly the kind of move a rebuilding team should make. They are not waiting for the draft next year; they are fixing the hole today.
The Falcons are making other moves to keep their roster balanced while they address the cornerback spot. The team signed offensive tackle Colby Sorsdal to the practice squad and released undrafted rookie center James Brockermeyer. Sorsdal was a fifth-round pick by the Detroit Lions in 2023 but missed the 2025 campaign due to injury. Brockermeyer was a standout in camp and drew high praise from offensive line coach Bill Callahan.
According to reports, Brockermeyer must "step up and step in and take over the controls. "He acted as the air traffic controller today, ensuring all planes landed safely, which was great, he added. Even with that praise, the team made the hard cut to make room for Sorsdal. This shows the depth chart is fluid and every spot is up for grabs. Beginning with that Thursday night matchup, the Falcons are poised to start a three-week stretch of prime-time games. Michael Penix Jr. Atlanta's first win of the year looks to be led by the starter named for that game. The team needs everyone ready to play because the schedule is about to get brutal.
