FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — As the deadline for finalizing their 53-man roster approaches, the Atlanta Falcons have begun taking steps to narrow down their current 90-man squad. On Sunday, the Falcons made the decision to release 13 players from their roster, signaling the start of their roster trimming process.
Among the players let go by the Falcons are standout performers Donovan Mutin, Lukas Denis, and Bradlee Anae, who showcased their skills during the preseason games. Mutin, an undrafted free agent signed in 2023, impressed with an impressive 28 total tackles across all three exhibition games, with 18 tackles against the Jacksonville Jaguars alone.
Denis, another undrafted free agent, also left an impact with his 11 tackles, two tackles for loss, and two pass breakups throughout the preseason. Meanwhile, Anae, a fifth-round draft pick in 2020, showed his potential with six tackles, four quarterback hits, and 1.5 sacks in the preseason matchups.
The releases of Mutin, Denis, and Anae bring the Falcons’ roster down to 77 players, leaving them with 24 more cuts to make before the 4 p.m. ET deadline on Tuesday. These moves signify the challenging decisions that NFL teams face as they work to finalize their rosters for the upcoming season. It is a crucial time for players on the fringe as they aim to secure spots on the team or potentially find opportunities elsewhere in the league.
The process of roster cuts is a tough reality of professional football, where talent and performance during preseason games can make all the difference in securing a spot on the final roster. For players like Mutin, Denis, and Anae, their dedication and hard work during the preseason have not gone unnoticed, even though they did not make the final cut. As the Falcons continue to evaluate their roster and make tough decisions, the journey for these players doesn’t end with their release from the team but rather marks a new chapter in their football careers.