Story by
Falcons Raise Questions After Cutting Standout Linebacker
- Story by
- Falcons Raise Questions After Cutting Standout Linebacker
Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
The most surprising move in Atlanta this week wasn't adding a star. It was releasing Channing Tindall . This linebacker stood out in the preseason win over the Indianapolis Colts , yet the team sent him away. The Falcons waived him along with six other players on Saturday afternoon.
It feels wrong to lose a player who played so well in the final games. Darren Hall, a defensive back, was placed on injured reserve alongside three other players released by the team. Before the NFL's Sunday evening deadline arrived, the roster had to be trimmed to the 53-player limit.
Our initial 53 😤 https://t.co/FSagotT2Gt pic.twitter.com/G27t2NL3sO
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) August 30, 2026
The List of Those Who Left
Undrafted free agent wide receiver Keelan Marion was among the notable players waived on Saturday. Against the Dolphins in last night's finale, he recorded one catch for nine receiving yards. His performance on Friday night was quiet, but he had shown promise before. The Falcons also cut defensive back Keidron Smith and tight end Joshua Simon. Defensive tackle Devonnsha Maxwell was sent away too. These seven players were waived in the first wave of cuts.
Advertisement
Tindall, Smith, and Simon all performed well during the team's preseason win over the Indianapolis Colts. They will have to look for work elsewhere, potentially on Atlanta's practice squad. The front office decided to keep different bodies for the final 53 spots.
What Comes Next for Atlanta
The team had a tight window to finish this process. They finalized the roster by Sunday evening. This is the standard deadline for every NFL team. The Falcons have a tracker on their website to follow each move. Fans can check the updated roster arranged by position group to see who stayed.
It is a messy time for the roster. The team is trying to find the right mix of talent and depth. Cutting a player like Tindall shows they have a different plan for the linebacker spot. The practice squad will likely get a few of these names back. But the main 53-man squad is ready. The final list tells us who the coaching staff trusts for the regular season.
