Falcons Part Ways With Veteran Defensive Tackle Before Colts Game

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The Falcons released veteran defensive end Ta’Quon Graham on Wednesday.

The Falcons shuffled their depth chart Wednesday ahead of their Week 10 game against the Colts in Germany. As part of a busy day of transactions, Atlanta released defensive end Ta’Quon Graham, a former fifth-round pick.

Graham was drafted 148th overall in 2021 out of Texas. He appeared in 51 games with 88 tackles (38 solo), one sack and one fumble recovery.

Graham (6-foot-4, 300 pounds) began this season on injured reserve with a calf issue. After missing the first seven games, he returned in Week 8 against the 49ers and played 57 snaps on defense over the next two weeks. He has four tackles.

Injuries Hampering Falcons’ Defensive Line Depth

Graham was merely a rotational piece along the defensive line in Atlanta. Still, given how patient the Falcons were with him, it was a bit surprising to see them cut ties.

If Graham clears waivers, it’s possible the Falcons look to bring him back as part of their practice squad. Atlanta is fourth in total defense and 13th in points allowed (22.3 per game) but is saddled with a few injuries up front.

Defensive end Zach Harrison (knee) was limited in practice Thursday and is listed as questionable for Week 10 along with backup nose tackle LaCale London (shoulder). Edge rusher Leonard Floyd has already been ruled out with a hamstring injury.

Falcons Make a Change at Kicker

Graham’s departure opened up a spot on Atlanta’s 53-man roster for veteran kicker Zane Gonzalez, who replaces the recently released Parker Romo.

Gonzalez has appeared in 69 career games, converting 96 of 120 field-goal attempts and 146 of 153 extra points. He was most recently with the Commanders, making 5 of 7 field goals and all 19 extra-point attempts across six games in 2024.

Romo was waived after a costly missed extra point in Sunday’s 24-23 loss to the Patriots.

Douglas Bonjour is a breaking news contributor covering the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB and WNBA for Heavy. He is also a contributing writer for The Associated Press and has worked for Point Spreads, the Connecticut Post and Hearst Connecticut Media as a reporter and editor. More about Douglas Bonjour